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The Supreme Court. Alexander Hamilton once said “the judiciary is beyond comparison the weakest of the three departments of power” Do you agree? . Why do we have a Supreme Court?. Established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution
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The Supreme Court • Alexander Hamilton once said • “the judiciary is beyond comparison the weakest of the three departments of power” • Do you agree?
Why do we have a Supreme Court? • Established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution • “the judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme court”
Where is the Supreme Court located?Has it always been there?
No… • February 1, 1790 • Merchants Exchange Building • New York, NY • 1st Chief Justice of Supreme Court • John Jay
Where is the next meeting? • When Washington, D.C. is finished • Supreme Court moves to U.S. Capitol Building • In the basement • 1814 • After DC was attacked by British • Supreme Court meets in a bar for a year until Capitol Bldg. is fixed.
Then, they finally get their own home. • 1935 • Franklin D. Roosevelt has the Supreme Court building built in Washington, D.C.
Development of the Supreme Court • 1789 • Established the Judiciary Act • Established a 3 tier structure for the federal court system • Local and district courts • Courts of appeals • Supreme Court • That’s all they got done….literally • The country was too young for there to be a lot of Supreme Court cases. • Even Chief Justice John Jay worked part time as U.S. Ambassador to Britain
The Supreme Court gains Strength • 1801 • New Chief Justice John Marshall believed the court needed to be stronger. • 1st major Supreme Court case • Marbury vs. Madison • S.Ct ruled that they have final voice in deciding the constitutionality of government issues. • Called “judicial review”
Today’s Supreme Court • Very influential. • 9 justices make up the court • 1 Chief Justice • Justice who presides over the court. • Today’s Chief Justice • John Roberts
How do you become a Supreme Court Justice? • Anybody can become a Supreme Court justice • No Constitutional age or professional requirement • Must be appointed by POTUS • Needs approval from Senate • Appointed for life!!! • Most recent • Judge Sonia Sotomayor • Appointed by Pres. Obama
How does the Supreme Court work? • Supreme Court serves primarily as an appeals court. • 90% of its cases come from lower courts • Other cases heard by S. Court refer to • Disputes between 2 states (Ohio vs. Michigan) • Disputes between state and federal government (Maryland vs. US) • How do you win an appeal to the Supreme Court? • Must write out a writ of certiorari • A written request to have your case heard by the Supreme Court. • If they say yes, your case goes on the docket • Schedule of cases for the Supreme Court to get to.
What steps are taken once a case is taken by the Supreme Court? • Briefs given to justices • They read privately in chambers • Oral arguments given by attorneys on case • Have timed arguments (usually 30 minutes) • Conference • Led by Chief Justice • Talk about case, new cases, and other judicial issues • Preparation of opinions • Need a majority vote for an appeal to take place. • Most senior member of “Concur” votes writes the opinion • Concur = agree, but for different reasons • Most senior member of “Dissent” votes writes the opinion • Dissent = disagree • Announcement of decisions • Announcement made to public
