Judicial Branch Overview Flashcards

Judicial Branch Overview

• Primary role is to interpret laws and ensure their application aligns with the Constitution.
• Composed of federal courts, with the Supreme Court at its apex.

Supreme Court Structure

• The judicial branch is led by the nine justices of the Supreme Court.
• Since 1869, the number of Supreme Court justices has remained fixed at nine.
• The framers of the Constitution left the organization and powers of the Supreme Court to Congress.

Historical Context

• The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the federal court system.
• In 1800, the limited power assigned to the judiciary emphasized its secondary role compared to legislative and executive branches.

Judicial Review

• Judicial review is the authority to evaluate the constitutionality of laws, allowing the courts to declare laws void if they are found unconstitutional.
• Landmark case Fletcher v. Peck expanded judicial review by striking down a state law.

Federal Judges

• Federal judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, promoting a system of checks and balances.
• They serve lifetime appointments to maintain independence and shield them from political influences.
• Federal judges can be removed through impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate.

Court System Hierarchy

• The Court of Appeals operates directly under the Supreme Court, handling appeals from lower courts.

Significant Court Cases

• Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) ruled that a slave was not a citizen and Congress lacked the authority to outlaw slavery.
• Plessy v. Ferguson established the legality of segregation in public places.
• Miranda v. Arizona (1966) mandated that police must inform defendants of their rights prior to interrogation.
• Bush v. Gore highlighted the necessity for a uniform procedure in ballot counting during recounts.