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Supreme Court of the United States

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A photograph of the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., showing its impressive west facade at dusk.

The Supreme Court of the United States

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the country. It makes important decisions about laws and rights. The Court can review decisions from lower courts and decide if actions follow the Constitution.

The Court has nine justices—the chief justice and eight associate justices. They meet at the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. These justices serve for their whole lives unless they choose to leave. When a justice leaves, the president picks a new one, and the Senate must agree.

Each justice has one vote when the Court decides cases. When most agree, the chief justice chooses who writes the official explanation. Justices who disagree can write their own explanations. Every year, the Court gets many requests to hear cases but only agrees to about 80, making its decisions very important for the whole country.

The Supreme Court first met in New York City in 1790. It later moved to Philadelphia and then to Washington, D.C. In 1935, it got its own special building. This building has a courtroom, offices, and a big law library. It is open to visitors from 9 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays.

The Supreme Court helps make sure important federal laws and constitutional issues are handled the same way in all states. It looks at cases from lower courts and decides how the law applies. The court tries to finish all cases from a term by the end of that term. Decisions are first shared on paper and later posted online.

The Court's decisions shape American laws and rights. It has played a big role in deciding important issues throughout history. The justices work hard to make fair decisions that affect everyone in the United States.

Images

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, a famous historical building where important decisions for the United States were made.
Portrait of Chief Justice John Marshall, an important American legal figure.
A historical photograph of the United States Supreme Court from 1932.
A formal meeting in 2005 where leaders discussed choosing a new Chief Justice for the United States.
Portrait of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaking during her Supreme Court confirmation hearing.
The interior of the United States Supreme Court, showing the nine chairs where the Justices sit.
Official portrait of Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., the head judge of the United States Supreme Court.
Official portrait of Clarence Thomas, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Official portrait of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito from 2007.
Portrait of Justice Sonia Sotomayor wearing her Supreme Court judicial robe.
Portrait of Elena Kagan, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Official portrait of Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch of the U.S. Supreme Court.
U.S. Supreme Court justices and officials pose together at the investiture ceremony for Chief Justice John Roberts in 2005.

Related articles

Philadelphia

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