Friday, September 10, 2021

The Supreme Court of the United States

                              
Outside the SCOTUS

 The Supreme Court is the most powerful judicial body in the entire world. While the SCOTUS was once mocked at the birth of the nation, it has become one of the most respected governmental bodies in the country, upholding the law that has been the backbone of America for generations. While the While presidents appoint Justices on the SCOTUS, the Justices often serve for much longer than the presidents term who appointed them, with an average length of sixteen years.


Dred Scott

During the nations births, the Supreme Court was not viewed as a powerful or even important body. This was until John Marshall was appointed Supreme Court Justice in 1801 when the Court began to enforce its power. The Supreme Court shut down an act of Congress, as it was deemed unconstitutional. This decision is what led the Court to be respected and known for its power and authority.


This would all change in the Dred Scott Decision. In a verdict that would nearly destroy the reputation of the Court, it was ruled that the Congress would not be able to ban slavery, which angered many. This issue would be resolved with the Civil War, which resulted in the 14th Amendment.



The Supreme Court receives an immense amount of cases everyday, to which the Court has to select a certain few that will be fully considered. These cases that are sent to the Court are often petitions sent to argue the result of a lower court. These cases go through the members of the Supreme Court and and sorted through by a Justice and their staff. The Court meets once a week to decide which cases will be taken by the Court. When a case is taken, a meeting led by the Chief Justice is held where all members of the Court are able to speak in a respectful manner.


When the Court meets to decide a case, they must make arguments on how to resolve the case. To reach the verdict, the Justices meet in a room alone and vote. Once a verdict is met, a member of the Court will then write an opinion why the decision was made, which takes many weeks an much time. Decisions are then announced towards the end of the term when the press will immediately begin to spread the verdict.


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