The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the pinnacle of the American judicial system. The Court ensure uniformity in interpreting national laws, resolves conflicts among states, and maintains national supremacy in law. It has both original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction.
There are nine justices on the Supreme Court: eight associates and one chief justice. The Constitution does not require this number, however, and there have been as few as six justices and as many as ten. The number has been stable since Ulysses Grant took office. Unlike other federal courts, the Supreme Court chooses which cases it will hear. The Court will not try to settle matters of state law or determine guilt or innocence in state criminal proceedings. |
Current Supreme Court Justices
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