United States Supreme Court

Role of the Supreme Court

• Distinct Role: Different from the executive and legislative branches.
  • Executive Branch: Runs the government.
  • Legislative Branch: Makes laws and sets budgets.
• Judicial Power: Can rule laws unconstitutional or interpret them in specific cases.

Principle of Stare Decisis

• Meaning: Latin for "let the decision stand."
• Application: Use previous decisions as examples for similar current cases.
• Precedent: Previous rulings that serve as a guide for future cases.

Supreme Court as Umpires

• Comparison: Often described as umpires in a baseball game.
  • Chief Justice John Roberts: Described the role of the Court in this manner.
• Objective Role: Aim to be unbiased arbiters of constitutional truth and legal interpretation.
• Human Element: Justices bring personal views and experiences, introducing subjectivity.

Appointment and Influence

• Presidential Appointment: President appoints justices, affects Court decisions.
• Life Tenure: Justices serve for life unless they retire or pass away.
• Political Influence: Changes in politics can lead to changes in Supreme Court decisions.

Historic Case: Overturning Precedent

• Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896):
  • Ruling: Segregation laws are permissible.
• Brown vs. Board of Education (1954):
  • Ruling: "Separate but equal" is unconstitutional, overturns Plessy.
• Political Changes:
  • Influence of presidents like FDR and Truman in appointing justices pro-civil rights.
  • Example of Eisenhower appointing Earl Warren, who shifted to liberal stances despite political affiliation.

Key Takeaways

• Supreme Court decisions are influenced by past precedents but can change with shifts in political climate and judicial appointments.
• Justices are human and bring subjective interpretations, despite efforts to be objective.