Introduction
In the fifty years after 1763, the American people founded a new American nation. First, they won their Independence from Britain in the American Revolution (1775-1783). Then they established a new republican government that was to endure many lifetimes of change and become the government you see today.
The Purpose and Powers of the Supreme Court
The courts unusual authority derives from its duel legal and political roles, for it is the nation’s highest appellate law court and at the same time, the official interpreter and expounder of the U.S. Constitution. Because many of the most important provisions of the Constitution are extremely broad and offer much room for difference of opinion, the court’s influence in the political development of the American republic has been very great, often exceeding that of the President or Congress.
Today, the court has come a long way since its establishment. It’s here as the Founding Fathers of our nation intended it to be. More exercising of authority is still to come though, such as with issues on abortion, civil rights and church-state relations.
How the Court Operates
The U.S. Supreme Court, like any other government agency or court has procedures that are followed very carefully as history and tradition set them to be.
The term of the Supreme Court begins on the first Monday in October. Court sessions are usually held until the end of June to early July. On Monday through Wednesday from 10am to 3pm, with a 1 hour lunch break, cases are heard by the nine robed justices seated highly in their seats. The cases that are heard usually last for one hour. Thirty minutes from each side. No Jury or witnesses are present since the majority of the cases are from another court. A record of prior proceedings and printed briefs that contain arguments of each side are there in front of the court. The Justices may interrupt and ask questions at any time throughout this process. On the following Friday...