1. Unit 6, Section 1 The United States Supreme Court

2. Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution “The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.”

3. The Structure of the Supreme Court Highest level of the federal court system Consists of 9 justices (one chief justice and 8 associate justices)  President has the power to nominate, Senate has the power to confirm

4. The Power of the Supreme Court Judicial review:  The power to determine the constitutionality of a law or presidential action  Originated from the ruling in Marbury v. Madison (1803)

5. Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court 1. Original jurisdiction- right to hear a case first  This includes: a) Cases involving foreign diplomats b) Cases between the US and a state c) Cases between two or more states 2. *Appellate jurisdiction- the power to review the decisions of lower courts

6. Appealing a Case to the Supreme Court

7. How the Court Operates The Court sits from 1 st Monday in October until June/July Case accepted Briefs submitted by both sides Oral arguments Conference; Cases discussed; Votes taken; Opinion writing assigned Opinions drafted Decision announced

8. Opinions- statements of legal reasoning behind a judicial decision 1. Majority opinion- formally called “the Opinion of the Court,” it announces the Court’s decision in a case and the reasoning on which it is based Majority opinions serve as precedents 2. Concurring opinion- authored by justices to add or emphasize a point not made in the majority opinion 3. Dissenting opinion- written by justices who do not agree with the majority opinion

9. FYI Once appointed, justices serve for life assuming “good behavior” Pay: Chief Justice = $217,400 Associate Justice = $208,100 Excellent retirement benefits

10. Spotlight on Antonin Scalia Supporter of originalism: interpreting the Constitution based on what it originally meant to the people who ratified it over 200 years ago