Corleen Hammond, age 13, of Peoria, I11., for her question:
WHAT IS THE SUPREME COURT'S JOB?
Decisions made by members of the U.S. Supreme Court have more importance than just deciding the particular facts of the case before them. Once the court has decided a case, all lower courts in the land are required to follow the decision in similar cases. This practice lends stability and predictability to the law.
Highest court in our nation is the Supreme Court. Its most important job is to determine whether local, state and federal governments are acting according to the Constitution of the United States.
Members of the Supreme Court must decide specific legal cases on the basis of established legal rules. Although most.of the rules are spelled out in the Constitution, they are often stated in language that is not entirely clear. It is the Supreme Court's job to determine the meanings and apply them to the cases presented for decision.
The Constitution provided for the establishment of the Supreme Court and stated the limits of its jurisdiction. Details of the court's organization and work, however, were left largely to Congress. And Congress established the federal court system in the Judiciary Act of 1789. The court has had a chief justice and eight associate justices since 1869, with six members before that time.
Members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. All members must have some legal training and experience. Once they become members of the court, justices may stay in office "during good behavior." Congress cannot remove a member or reduce his salary, a condition that protects the judges from political control and lets them ensure the court's independence. The chief justice is paid $65,625 each year while associate justices receive $63,000.
In the early days of the United States, the Supreme Court's main concern seemed to be chiefly with the proper division of authority between the various state governments and the federal government. A major concern during recent years has been the protection of the rights and liberties of individuals.
Members of the Supreme Court decide what the law is only when an actual case is presented. The case has to involve a real dispute between opposing sides. The court can't just give legal advice or advisory opinions.
Most of the work of the Supreme Court comes under its appellate jurisdiction. This is the authority to reverse or confirm the decision of lower courts.