(CNN)Recent decisions on abortion, gun control, religious freedom, and the environment have given theUS Supreme CourtOnce again, I reaffirmed its central role in the United States.
Here are some common questions about courts, their composition, and their authority:
What does the Supreme Court do?
In essence, the court decides whether the law and government actions are constitutional and outlines the breadth and limitations of government.
This is important because when a case reaches the Supreme Court, it usually goes through a process of several years and the majority precedent becomes the basis for measuring future law. This is due to the principle of "staring decision" which means "in support of the decision" in Latin, and the current court should be bound by the previous decision.
The Supreme Court's decision is final.
Yes, in the sense that you can't capsize to another body.
Can Congress reject the decision?
Although not directly, Congress can pass legislation that corresponds to the decision.
What about the constitutional amendment?
The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution, so amending the document will change how the court can make a ruling. However, constitutional amendment is, in theory, a very difficult political task that requires public support and does not exist in either party at this time.
A judge of the Supreme Court is elected.
No. They are appointed by the President and sent to the Senate for confirmation.
How many judges were there and who appointed them?
Nine. Each has an equivalent vote.
Judge John Roberts (George W. Bush, 2005).
Judge Clarence Thomas (George HW Bush, 1991).
Judge Samuel Alito (GWB, 2006).
Judge Sonia Sotomayor (Barack Obama, 2009).
Judge Elena Kagan (Obama, 2010).
Judge Neil Gorsuch (Donald Trump, 2017).
Justice Brett Kavanaugh (Trump, 2018).
Judge Amy Coney Barrett (Trump, 2020).
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson (Joe Biden, 2022).
Why are some presidents appointed more than others?
Luck and politics. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama each served for eight years, confirming two judges each.
Are there any requirements for justice?
No. Currently, it is most common for candidates to have a strong legal pedigree (Ivy League Law School, former judge Clark experience or federal Court of Appeals experience), but neither is required.
Cagan was a Harvard Law professor and solicitor (the Supreme Lawyer of the Justice Department), but she was not a judge. The late Chief Justice of the Earl Warren was the Governor of California.
A judge of the Supreme Court has been appointed for life.
Yes, so are judges in other federal courts. They can serve until they die or retire. That means they are theoretically isolated from the whims of the political sector. But that doesn't make judges popular. Current polls show that less than one-third of Americans are confident in court.
Is it possible to dismiss a judge in the Supreme Court?
Yes, through impeachment-the same process used to dismiss the President of the United States. The House of Representatives will vote for impeachment, and the Senate will vote on whether to remove justice. But it never happened to the Supreme Court judge.
What is "coat packing"?
The Constitution does not stipulate how many judges a court must have, but that number was set at 9 from the mid-19th century and has been codified ever since. .. In theory, the president can be nominated and the Senate can see more judges to shake the court in the desired direction.
How does the court work?
The Supreme Court first met in 1790 as the Supreme Court of the Government's judiciary department. The judge is headed by the Chief Justice of the United States (this is the official title). The court has occupied the current building in Washington since 1935. Previously, I rented space for the US Capitol Senate.
Traditionally, each semester begins on the first Monday of October and the final opinion is usually published by the end of June. Judges divide the time between "sitting" to hear the case and make a decision, and "break" to write the decision in court and meet personally to consider other businesses.
In court, judges are seated by the elders, with the Chief Justice in the center and the lowest judge on the outside. Before the public and private meetings where the decisions are discussed, all nine members shake hands as a show of harmony of purpose.
When the gavel rings and the judge sits down, the marshal shouts a traditional welcome. As the court is sitting now, I was advised to approach and get their attention. God saves the United States and this prestigious court.
In most cases, there are no jury trials or witnesses, as both lawyers address on the bench, as it involves appeals of decisions made by other courts. Discussions usually last about an hour, and both lawyers often suspend oral briefs prepared by the questions pointed out by the judge. In recent years, courts have given each judge a five-minute question, asking questions from the Chief Justice to the youngest judge.
This give-and-take, question-and-answer partner requires lawyers to think concisely and logically on their own feet. And the tone of the question often gives an insight into the thought of justice, the barometer of his / her decision making.
After the discussion, a meeting will be scheduled in which judges will discuss and vote on the case. In these private sessions, there is one member, nine members. Clerks and staff are not allowed. Transscripts are not retained.
Judges spend a lot of time reviewing cases and writing opinions. And they have to decide which case to hear in a public court. Just before his retirement in 2006, when asked what legal scholars were doing most of the time, Judge Sandra Day O'Connor said, "We read. I read an average of 1,500 pages a day. Read. I write from time to time. " Added Judge Antonin Scalia: "We will try to squeeze in a little time to think."
