1. Supreme Court

2. Members 9 justices Serve for life Lead by the Chief Justice Appointed by the President, approved by the Senate

3. Justice Appointed In Appointed By At Age John G. Roberts John G. Roberts (Chief Justice)Chief Justice 2005G. W. Bush50 John Paul Stevens1975Ford55 Samuel A. Alito, Jr. 2006G. W. Bush55 Antonin Scalia1986Reagan50 Anthony Kennedy1988Reagan52 David Souter1990Bush51 Clarence Thomas1991Bush43 Ruth Bader Ginsburg1993Clinton60 Stephen Breyer1994Clinton56 Current salary for the Chief Justice is around $202,900 per year, while Associate Justices make about $194,200.

4. Jurisdiction (power to hear a case) Original Jurisdiction States Ambassadors Appellate Jurisdiction Court of Appeals State Supreme Courts Armed Forces Appeals Federal Circuit Appeals

5. Hearing a Case Most cases appealed to the Supreme Court are not heard (4/9 justices needed) –Writ or Certiorari – ordering court records –Certificate – clarification for a lower court Arguments –Oral arguments (usually a 30 minute limit) –Briefs (written and sent prior to oral argument) Making a decision – Conference –Chief Justice presides –Each justice explains view, all debate and vote Opinions –Majority Opinion – announces the decision –Concurring Opinion – to add or emphasize the majority opinion –Dissenting Opinion – Explains opinions not agreeing with majority opinion

6. Judicial Review Power of the court to declare actions unconstitutional Marbury v. Madison On the eve of leaving office, John Adams appoints William Marbury JOP in D.C. Incoming Secretary of State, James Madison is told by incoming President, Thomas Jefferson, not to honor it. Angered, Marbury wants the Supreme Court to hear the case under original jurisdiction and bases this on a previous law, the Judiciary Act of 1789. The Supreme Court refuses to hear the case and voids the section of the law, declaring it unconstitutional.