The United States Supreme Court is the highest level court in the entire United States. The U.S. Constitution grants the Supreme Court the power to preside over all federal and state courts. It has the ability to review important legal cases that affect the entire country and can appeal decisions from state Supreme Courts. Should the Supreme Court elect not to listen to an appeal from a lower court, however, the lower court’s original verdict stands with no recourse to reverse.
The Supreme Court is also the ultimate reviewer and interpreter of constitutional law. Constitutional law is the system of law as indicated in state and federal constitutions.
The Supreme Court has nine justices that serve out lifetime appointments. All justices are nominated by President’s, while confirmation is then later debated by the Senate for approval. Justices can only be removed if they retire or if they are impeached.
Case Law As It Relates to the Supreme Court of the United State’s
Case Review: Marbury v. Madison (1803)
The landmark legal case, Marbury v. Madison (1803) 1 Cranch 137., established the United States Supreme Court as an equal, but separate branch of government.
Thomas Jefferson won the 1800 presidential election over incumbent President John Adams. Sensing that the power of his Federalist Party was waning, President Adams nominated a large number of justices of peace in the final days of his administration to secure some federalist influence. The nominees — which included a William Marbury — were approved by the Senate and signed by President Adams. However, the appointments were not delivered at the behest of James Madison, President-Elect Jefferson’s new Secretary of State.
The case then made its way to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court concluded that Marbury’s appointment was in conflict with the Constitution and therefore, he was denied his appointment. This case established the court’s right to void an act believed to be inconsistent with the Constitution.
