The Supreme Court S C Supreme Court Supreme

The Supreme Court S. C. = Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justices n Nine Justices 1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices n Originally only had 5 n n Salary: $217, 400 for Chief Justice n $208, 100 for Associate Justices n n Serve for Life n Can be impeached John Roberts. Chief Justice

Becoming a Supreme Court Justice n Constitutional Requirements n n n NONE Appointed by President Confirmed by Senate Most appointments are confirmed n 1988 Robert Bork nominated by Reagan but not confirmed n

How do you get a case heard? n n n You file for “certiorari” or asking for review If the S. C. wants to hear your case, they write a “Writ of Certiorari” saying that they will hear it and asking for all documents related to the case EXAMPLE

Steps of a S. C. case n n n n n File for Certiorari Writ of Certiorari given Submit papers and briefs S. C. reviews everything Oral arguments S. C. has a conference and votes One justice writes the majority opinion Any other justice may write a supporting or dissenting opinion Ruling is given

If the S. C. is hearing a case, who may file papers? n n n Anyone Both parties can give the court just about anything Third parties file an “Amicus Curiae” or ‘friend of the court’ brief.

What exactly can the S. C. look at? n Judicial Review n n Examining laws and actions of governments Interpretation of Laws Declaring them unconstitutional n Explaining what they mean n n Reviewing other courts’ decisions Overturning if unconstitutional n Upholding if correct n

Current Supreme Court (Age when appointed/Year Appointed) n n n n n John Roberts (50/2005) – Chief Justice Samuel Alito (55/2006) Antonin Scalia (50/1986) Anthony Kennedy (52/1988) Clarence Thomas (43/1991) Ruth Bader Ginsburg (60/1993) Stephen Breyer (56/1994) Sonia Sotomayor (55/2009) Elena Kagan (50/2010) Do they agree?