Congress for Kids Print this Page
  Search


Quizzes Independence Constitution Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch Elections Citizenship
  Judicial Branch

Introduction Supreme Court The Justices Dealing with Segregation

  

Join Our Mailing List!

Receive information about any changes to Congress for Kids and the other seven sites in The Dirksen Center's Web suite!


Books & Reading

Books & Reading

Why is the Supreme Court called "Supreme?"

What kind of jurisdiction does the U.S. Supreme Court have, how does a case make it to the Supreme Court and what happens once a case is accepted for review?

What action can be taken by the U.S. Supreme Court to illustrate the concept that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land?

Think about how the Supreme Court interpreted the 14th Amendment in the late 1880s and 1890s What were some of the issues the court considered economic and social in its construction of the 14th Amendment?



TimeLine: Supreme Court Develops

Supreme Court The Justices Dealing with Segregation

The Supreme Court


The Supreme Court heads the judicial branch of the United States government. It is the only court established by the Constitution. Decisions made by the Supreme Court are usually of national importance. "Equal Justice under Law" is the motto of the Supreme Court. The wording of the Constitution is complex, so it must be studied and examined carefully. When questions concerning particular laws arise in lower courts, the justices who make up the Supreme Court are responsible for explaining and interpreting the Constitution.

All of the other courts in the United States must follow the ruling or the decision made by the justices of the Supreme Court. The Constitution also gives the Supreme Court the power to judge whether federal, state, and local governments are acting within the law. The Supreme Court can also decide if a president's action is unconstitutional.

The decisions of the Supreme Court are absolute and final; in contrast, the decisions and judgments reached in lower courts may be appealed or questioned. Thousands of requests for rulings reach the Supreme Court each year. Fewer than one hundred fifty are actually considered and ruled upon.

Show What You Know

 

Rate this Site


Originally there were five Associates Justices and a Chief Justice. In 1801 to 1869, Congress changed this number to seven Associate Justices. There are now eight Associate Justices and one Chief Justice, all nominated by the president, and then confirmed by the Senate.

Surf with Uncle Sam
Surf with Uncle Sam

Word Spy
Word Spy

Projects You Can Do

Review the Bill of Rights and discuss the rights that American citizens enjoy. Keep these in mind and role-play selected court deliberations. Argue the cases as it is done in the Supreme Court. Research information that will help you with your arguments. Discuss the criteria and information that the Justices of the Supreme Court would utilize in rendering a decision. Address the procedural elements of court deliberations and discuss how they help or hinder the decision-making process. Evaluate the outcomes of these decisions and discuss the impact of the Supreme Court's definition of student rights over the last 25 years.

 

Awards

 

The Dirksen Congressional CenterCopyright 2008