The Supreme Court | American Government for High School - Grade 11 PDF Download

Introduction

The Supreme Court, the highest judicial authority in the United States, holds significant influence over the nation’s laws and societal framework. Comprising nine justices with lifetime appointments, it interprets the Constitution, settles disputes between states, and has the authority to invalidate laws that violate constitutional principles.

Cases are carefully selected for review based on their legal importance and broader implications. The Court’s rulings, such as those ending school segregation and legalizing same-sex marriage, have profoundly shaped American society and continue to define the country’s legal landscape.

The Supreme Court

Composition and Functions of the Supreme Court

• The Supreme Court consists of nine justices: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
• Justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate through a hearing and voting process.
• Lifetime appointments ensure judicial independence from political influences.
• As the highest federal court, it has the final authority on legal disputes.
• The Court exercises judicial review, enabling it to nullify unconstitutional laws or executive actions, as established in Marbury v. Madison.
• It interprets the Constitution and federal laws, applying them to specific cases.
• The Court resolves interstate disputes, such as those involving boundaries or water rights.
• It hears appeals from lower federal courts and state courts on matters involving federal or constitutional issues.

Supreme Court Case Selection Process

• Most cases reach the Supreme Court via a petition for a writ of certiorari, requesting review of a lower court’s ruling.
• The "Rule of Four" requires at least four justices to agree to hear a case for certiorari to be granted.
• Factors influencing case selection include:
  • Conflicting rulings among lower courts on the same legal issue.
  • The significance and widespread impact of the legal question.
  • Challenges to the constitutionality of laws or government actions.
• Once a case is accepted, the decision-making process includes:
  • Oral arguments: Attorneys present their cases and respond to justices’ questions.
  • Amicus curiae briefs: Third parties submit additional perspectives to inform the Court.
  • Conference: Justices privately discuss and vote on the case.
  • Opinion writing: The Chief Justice assigns the majority opinion if in the majority; otherwise, the senior justice in the majority assigns it.
  • Majority opinion: Outlines the Court’s decision and reasoning.
  • Concurring opinions: Written by justices who agree with the outcome but for different reasons.
  • Dissenting opinions: Express disagreement with the majority’s decision and reasoning.

Impact of Supreme Court Decisions

• Landmark rulings have transformed American law and society:
  • Brown v. Board of Education ended racial segregation in public schools.
  • Roe v. Wade established a constitutional right to abortion based on privacy.
  • Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage across the United States.
• The Court interprets the Constitution to safeguard individual rights, such as freedom of speech and due process.
• It adapts legal interpretations to evolving social, economic, and political contexts.
• The Court resolves contentious issues and ensures consistent application of the law in lower courts.
• Justices’ personal ideologies may influence rulings, raising concerns about judicial impartiality.
• Decisions can be overturned by constitutional amendments or future rulings, reflecting the dynamic nature of legal interpretation.
• Debates persist over judicial activism versus judicial restraint, questioning the Court’s role in shaping public policy.

Legal Principles and Interpretation

• Jurisdiction: The Court’s authority to hear and rule on cases, encompassing original jurisdiction for specific cases and appellate jurisdiction for others.
• Precedent: Past rulings that guide future decisions on similar issues.
• Constitutional interpretation: The process of analyzing the Constitution’s text, historical context, and precedents to apply its principles.
• Stare decisis: The principle of following precedent to ensure consistency and stability in legal rulings.

Key Terms

• Obergefell v. Hodges: A 2015 landmark case legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide as a fundamental right under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, overturning state bans.
• Judicial Review: The Supreme Court’s power to assess the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions, serving as a check on other government branches.
• Brown v. Board of Education: A 1954 case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson and advancing equality.
• Roe v. Wade: A 1973 decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion, striking down state laws banning the procedure.
• Supreme Court: The highest U.S. court, serving as the ultimate authority on constitutional interpretation and federal law.
• Constitutional Interpretation: The process of determining the meaning and application of the Constitution’s provisions through text, history, and precedent.
• Amicus Curiae: A third party not involved in a case who submits briefs to provide additional insights or expertise to the Court.
• Jurisdiction: The authority of a court or government entity to hear, decide, and enforce rulings within a specific scope.
• Rule of Four: The Supreme Court’s practice of granting certiorari if at least four justices vote to hear a case.
• Marbury v. Madison: A landmark case establishing judicial review, empowering the Court to declare congressional acts unconstitutional.
• Chief Justice: The head of the judicial branch, presiding over the Supreme Court and overseeing the federal court system.
• Judicial Restraint: A philosophy advocating narrow judicial interpretations, deferring to legislative and executive decisions.
• Precedent: Prior judicial rulings that guide future decisions to ensure consistency in the legal system.
• Majority Opinion: The Court’s official decision and reasoning, supported by the majority of justices.
• Dissenting Opinions: Statements by justices disagreeing with the majority, offering alternative perspectives.
• Stare Decisis: The principle of adhering to precedents to maintain legal consistency and predictability.
• Judicial Activism: A judicial approach where rulings reflect personal or societal considerations, often leading to significant policy changes.
• Concurring Opinions: Opinions by justices agreeing with the majority’s decision but providing different reasoning or additional perspectives.
• Writ of Certiorari: A court order to review a lower court’s decision, used by the Supreme Court to select significant cases.
• Oral Arguments: Attorneys’ spoken presentations to the Court, summarizing cases and answering justices’ questions.
• Associate Justices: Non-Chief Justice members of the Supreme Court, contributing to constitutional and legal interpretations.