Our Supreme Court
In late October, the U.S. Senate confirmed, or approved, a new justice for the Supreme Court. Justice Amy Coney
Barrett, 48, fills the seat that opened when Ruth Bader
Ginsburg, 87, died in September.
The U.S. Constitution allows justices of the Supreme Court to serve until their death. They can also resign, retire or be impeached.
This week, The Mini Page learns more about the Supreme Court and what a justice does.
The U.S. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the United States’ highest court. The justices must decide how laws are followed and whether our laws agree with the U.S. Constitution. This is called judicial (joo-dish-uhl) review.
In the United States, the Supreme Court is an appellate court. This means that the court decides cases that are being reviewed after making their way through the lower courts.
Judicial process
The U.S. Constitution promises that a person accused of a crime will receive a fair trial. If a person involved in a trial doesn’t agree with the outcome, or verdict, the case may be appealed to a state or federal appeals court. Someone who loses at this level may ask the Supreme Court to review the lower court’s decision. The Supreme Court usually hears cases that will decide important legal principles.
Deciding a case Mini Fact:
The seated figures on either side of the steps are titled “The Contemplation of Justice” and “The Authority of Law.”
On the first Monday in October of each year, the Supreme Court begins its new term. Once the Court has accepted a case for review, the two sides present their arguments to the justices. Each justice works with law school graduates who study cases and discuss them with the justice. They may also examine all the records from the case and ask questions of the people involved.
The justices meet with each other to talk about the case.
Sometimes this takes months. Then they offer their opinion. At least five votes are needed to make a decision.
One of the justices writes a summary of the opinion. A justice who dissented, or disagreed, may write an opposing argument.