Supreme Court Justices p 200 201 Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justices p. 200 -201

Supreme Court Justices • The main job of a Supreme Court Justice is to decide whether laws are allowable under the US Constitution. • Supreme Court has final authority in any case involving the Constitution, acts of Congress, and treaties with other nations. • Decisions of the Court are binding on all lower courts • Supreme Court is made of 8 associate judges led by a chief justice • Congress sets this number and has the power to change it. • Main duty of the justices is to hear and rule on cases. • Choose cases, decide the case, and issue a written explanation. • Chief Justice has additional duties such as presiding over sessions and conferences at which cases are discussed.

• How are Supreme Court Justices selected? • Who may influence the selection of Supreme Court Justices? • What kind of background do most Supreme Court Justices have?

Selection of Justices • The president appoints Supreme Court justices with the consent of the Senate. • President often gets help from the attorney general and other Justice Department officials. • President’s decision may also be influenced by the American Bar Association, interest groups, and other Supreme Court justices. • Senate has rejected many presidential nominees to the Supreme Court because of doubts about qualifications or the legal philosophy of the persons nominated.

Background of the Justices • Supreme Court justices are always lawyers who have had success practicing law, serving as a judge, or holding other public positions. • Political support and agreement with the president’s ideas are important factors in who gets nominated. • Once appointed a justice may make ruling the president does not like.