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The Supreme Court. Supreme COurt. Coequal with Congress and President Last resort in interpreting federal law Decisions are binding on lower courts Not required to hear all case In 2012 7,713 cases were filed in Supreme Court 79 cases were chosen to be argued
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Supreme COurt • Coequal with Congress and President • Last resort in interpreting federal law • Decisions are binding on lower courts • Not required to hear all case • In 2012 7,713 cases were filed in Supreme Court • 79 cases were chosen to be argued • Why does the Supreme Court choose carefully when deciding on what cases to hear?
Supreme Court Jurisdiction • Original and Appellate • Most cases are appeals • Hears cases on.. • Cases involving reps from foreign gov. • Cases in which state is a party • Authority to rule over federal issues. • Even in State cases
Supreme Court Justices • 9 Justices • Chief Justice and 8 associate justices • Congress sets this number • Serve for life • Impeached for …treason, bribery, high crimes and other misdemeanors.
Justice’s Job • Duty: Hear and Rule on cases • Courts’ Opinion: decision and explanation for decision. • Other duties: • Assigned to Federal Circuit to handle special legal actions • Special Commissions • Kennedy Assassination • Nuremburg Trials
Background on Justices • What qualifications would you need to become a Supreme Court Justice? • Judges usually have… • Legal degree • Experience as federal or state court judge • Over 50 years old (10 were under) • Not Representative of General Population • Only 4 women and 2 African Americans
First Female Supreme Court Justice First African American Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor 1981-2006 Thurgood Marshall 1967-1991
Appointing a Justice • Appointment by President • Senate approves • President will appoint a Justice will similar ideology President Obama appointed Sonia Sotomayor in 2009