In class, we watched a video on the Supreme Court. Here is what I learned...
It all starts when either the defendant or the accused is unhappy with the outcome of their court case. They may appeal against the decision the initial court made in hopes that a higher court will rule a different outcome. The final court that may be appealed to is called the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).
SCOTUS is composed of nine Justices, and whatever decision is reached is final. Of the 7,000 cases the Supreme Court is asked to review every year, only around 100 cases are fully considered.
It all starts when either the defendant or the accused is unhappy with the outcome of their court case. They may appeal against the decision the initial court made in hopes that a higher court will rule a different outcome. The final court that may be appealed to is called the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).
SCOTUS is composed of nine Justices, and whatever decision is reached is final. Of the 7,000 cases the Supreme Court is asked to review every year, only around 100 cases are fully considered.
The Justices will get a written argument from both the defendant and the accused of the selected case. The Justices will review the facts of the case and an oral argument will then take place. Once all the information has been presented to the Justices, they will privately meet and come to a conclusion.
Afterward, the Chief Justice, currently Justice John Roberts, will choose a member of the majority to write an opinion on how the court reached their decision. Another Justice may choose to write an opinion either refuting the decision or supporting the decision but refuting the reasoning behind the opinion.
A common misconception is that courts are very secretive. However, written opinions ensure that nothing is left behind closed doors.
Afterward, the Chief Justice, currently Justice John Roberts, will choose a member of the majority to write an opinion on how the court reached their decision. Another Justice may choose to write an opinion either refuting the decision or supporting the decision but refuting the reasoning behind the opinion.
A common misconception is that courts are very secretive. However, written opinions ensure that nothing is left behind closed doors.
While the Judicial Branch is considered the weakest of our three branches of government, the Supreme Court has unique characteristics that make it just as important as the other branches.
First, Justices on the Supreme Court are impartial when it comes to political parties. While each Justice may have a reputation of ruling liberal or conservative on cases in the past, they begin each new case with an open mind and the intention of doing what’s best for The United States of America.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court Justices hold their office during good behavior. For many of the SCOTUS Justices, this is the last job they will ever have as they currently serve in their industry’s highest position possible. Therefore, they can make unbiased decisions for each case.
Additionally, the Judicial Branch innately deals with the country’s most pressing issues. While Congress has control over what topics they want to focus on, Supreme Court Justices have minimal control as the cases they discuss are issues directly brought to them by US citizens. Thus, they are always dealing with prevalent conflicts.
First, Justices on the Supreme Court are impartial when it comes to political parties. While each Justice may have a reputation of ruling liberal or conservative on cases in the past, they begin each new case with an open mind and the intention of doing what’s best for The United States of America.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court Justices hold their office during good behavior. For many of the SCOTUS Justices, this is the last job they will ever have as they currently serve in their industry’s highest position possible. Therefore, they can make unbiased decisions for each case.
Additionally, the Judicial Branch innately deals with the country’s most pressing issues. While Congress has control over what topics they want to focus on, Supreme Court Justices have minimal control as the cases they discuss are issues directly brought to them by US citizens. Thus, they are always dealing with prevalent conflicts.
I recently visited the Supreme Court with a small group from my high school just before COVID-19 took over. We watched the oral arguments for Babb v. Wilkie, met with Justice Clarence Thomas, and got a “behind the scenes” tour of the Supreme Court. It was amazing! See my post "We Missed School to do WHAT?!" to learn more about the trip.
FUN FACT! The Supreme Court of the United States is commonly referred to as “the highest court in the land”, but did you know that there is a court ‘higher’ than the Supreme Court? A basketball court currently sits directly above the courtroom. A sign displayed while entering the room warns, “PLAYING BASKETBALL AND WEIGHTLIFTING ARE PROHIBITED WHILE THE COURT IS IN SESSION.” Rumor has it that the sign was added after a clerk was dribbling a ball and it was heard during oral arguments in the courtroom below.
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