The Supreme Court
Mini Fact:
The first woman justice on the Supreme Court was Sandra Day O'Connor. She retired in 2006.
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.
This week, The Mini Page learns more about the highest court in our nation.
An appellate court
In the United States, the Supreme Court is an appellate court. This means that all cases must first be heard by lower courts but if those rulings come into question, the Supreme Court has the final say.
For example, in the mid-1960s, two high school students in Des Moines, Iowa, wore black armbands to school to protest against the Vietnam War School officials suspended them.
The students and their families sued, or took legal action against the school district. They believed the First Amendment, which promises the right to free speech, protected their protest.
The case was presented in the U.S. District Court, where the verdict, or decision, agreed with the school. The case eventually went to the Supreme Court, which overturned, or changed, the verdict.
Justices
There are nine justices who work at the Supreme Court. The U.S. Constitution allows justices to serve until their death. They can also also resign, retire or be impeached, or removed from office.
When a seat on the court opens, the president nominates someone to be a new justice. The U.S. Senate must confirm or approve, the new justice.
How the court works
On the first Monday in October of each yen the Supreme Court begins its new term.
The Supreme Court usually hears cases that will decide important legal principles. Out of thousands of requests received each year, the court may choose about 150 of them.
Once the Supreme Court has accepted a case for review, the two sides present their arguments to the justices. Each justice works with young 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 dissents, or disagrees, may write an opposing argument.