THE U.S. COURT SYSTEM

The U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of the United States was created by Sec. 1 Article III of the Constitution. Its jurisdiction is set out by statute in Title 28 of the U.S. Code. The organization of the Court is also spelled out by legislation. The Court itself develops the rules governing the presentation of cases. One of the most important powers of the Supreme Court is judicial review. While the Supreme Court is a separate branch of government, outside factors do exert some influence on the Court.

U.S. Supreme Court Justices. There are nine justices; a Chief Justice of the United States and eight associate justices, who are appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate. Justices serve during good behavior (usually until death, retirement or resignation.)

Judicial Review consists of: the power of the courts to declare laws invalid if they violate the Constitution; the supremacy of federal laws or treaties when they differ from state and local laws; the role of the Court as the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution.

Influences on the Court. There exist both legal and political influences on the Supreme Court justices and their decisions. Among the legal influences on Supreme Court decisions are:

-The Constraints of the Facts: Courts cannot make a ruling unless they have an actual case brought before it. The facts of a case are the relevant circumstances of a legal dispute or offense. The Supreme Court must respond to the facts of a dispute.

-The Constraints of the Law: Among the legal constraints in deciding cases, the Supreme Court must determine which laws are relevant. These include; interpretation of the Constitution, interpretation of statutes, and interpretation of precedent.

Among the political influences on Supreme Court Decisions are:

" Outside Influences" such as the force of public opinion, pressure from interest groups, and the leverage of public officials;

" Inside Influences" Such as justices' personal beliefs, political attitudes, and the relationship between justices.

How Cases Make Their Way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Each year, about 4, 500 cases are requested for review by the Supreme Court. Less than 200 cases are actually decided by the Court each year. There are three ways for a case to make its way to the US Supreme Court.

1) There are cases in which the US Supreme Court has original jurisdiction (heard there first). Cases in which a state is a party and cases dealing with diplomatic personnel, like ambassadors, are the two examples.

2) Those cases appealed from lower federal courts can be heard at the Supreme Court. Some laws obligate (or force) the Supreme Court to hear them. But most come up for review on the writ of certiorari, a discretionary writ that the court grants or refuses at its own discretion. The writ is granted if four of the justices want it to be heard.

3) The US Supreme Court reviews appeals from state supreme courts that present substantial " federal questions, " usually where a constitutional right has been denied in the state courts.

In both civil and criminal law, the Supreme Court is the final court of appeal.