1. Chapter 8, Section 3 The United States Supreme Court

2. Main Idea
The Supreme Court’s decisions have wide-ranging effects because court justices interpret the Constitution!

3. I. The Supreme Court Justices
A. The main job of the nation’s top court is to decide whether laws are allowable under the Constitution.
B. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction, but only in cases involving foreign diplomats or a state.
***All other cases come to the Court on appeal (Appellate Jurisdiction)

4. ***Supreme Court has final authority.***
C. The Court chooses which cases it hears. If they refuse to hear a case, the verdict from the lower court stands.
***Supreme Court has final authority.***
D. Eight associate justices and one chief justice make up the Supreme Court.

5. E. After deciding on a case, the justices issue an opinion
E. After deciding on a case, the justices issue an opinion. (the court’s written explanation for why they came up with their decision)
F. The President appoints justices with Senate approval. Serve for life!
***His decision could be influenced by the Justice Department, interest groups, other Justices.***

6. Supreme Court justices are always lawyers
***Supreme Court justices are always lawyers. Having a successful law career, political support, and agreeing with the presidents ideals helps them get appointed!***
G. Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Justice in The first female justice was Sandra Day O’Connor in 1981.

7. II. Powers of the Court (202-203)
A. Legislative/Executive Branch must follow Supreme Court rulings. ***Parties involved are likely to get fair hearing.***
B. Court’s main job is to decide whether or not something is constitutional, or allowed by the Constitution.
C. Judicial Review- power to say whether any law or government action goes against Const.

8. Congress writes laws in very general language
***Congress writes laws in very general language. Through its rulings, the Supreme Court interprets the meaning of laws, helping police and courts to apply them.***

9. III. Limits on the Court’s Power (203-204)
The Court depends on the executive branch and state and local officials to enforce its decisions. They usually do.
***Congress can get around a Supreme Court ruling by passing a new law, changing the law ruled unconstitutional, or amending the Constitution.***

10. ***The Court cannot decide that a law is unconstitutional unless the law has been challenged in a lower court first and the case comes on appeal.***
B. The Court only accepts cases that involve a federal question. ***It usually stays out of political questions.***

11. Mini Quiz!!! The Who- Teenage Wasteland
How many justices on the Supreme Court?
Who appoints Supreme Court Justices? Who has to approve?
How long do they serve?
Who was the first African American justice? Female?
What is the Supreme Court’s main job?