160 likes | 346 Views
The U.S. Supreme Court. Types of Jurisdiction. Original Jurisdiction: involving diplomats from foreign countries involving a state Appellate Jurisdiction: involving the Constitution acts of Congress treaties with other nations. Supreme Court Justices: Selection.
E N D
Types of Jurisdiction • Original Jurisdiction: • involving diplomats from foreign countries • involving a state • Appellate Jurisdiction: • involving the Constitution • acts of Congress • treaties with other nations
Supreme Court Justices: Selection • Eight associate justices • One chief justice • The president appoints justices, with approval of the Senate. • Justices serve for life.
Supreme Court Justices: Background • Justices are always lawyers. • Presidents appoint justices who agree with their ideas. • First African American justice: • Thurgood Marshall • First female justice: • Sandra Day O’Connor
Powers of the Court • Judicial review • decide whether laws or actions by government officials are constitutional or allowed by the Constitution. • claimed by the Supreme Court in the case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803 • Interpret laws • interpret the meaning of words used in the laws
Limits on the Court • Executive Branch • Appoints justices • Doesn’t have to follow rulings • Legislative Branch • Approves justices • Can impeach justices • Can change an unconstitutional law or amend the Constitution
The Courtroom of the Supreme Court Building, where the Court has sat since 1935.
On July 1, 2005, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor announced her intention to retire from the Supreme Court.
On September 3, 2005, Chief Justice William Rehnquist died at his home in Arlington, Virginia. He was 80.
Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. On October 31, 2005, President George W. Bush nominated him to the position of Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. He took the oath of office on Tuesday, January 31, 2006.
The New Court: from left to right, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice David H. Souter, Justice Anthonin Scalia, Justice John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice John Roberts, President Bush, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Stephen G. Breyer