Powers of the U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest appellate court within the federal court system, and may choose to hear appeals from lower U.S. District Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and even state courts which question the interpretation of federal law set forth by the Constitution. All federal courts have jurisdiction over strictly federal matters, as well as those which may cross state lines. The Supreme Court is considered to be an Article III tribunal or court, since its powers are provided for under Article III of the Constitution.

Justices

Generally, judges or officials who are appointed to oversee and decide cases in a high appellate court, such as the U.S. Supreme Court, are titled “Justices.” There is one Chief Justice of the United States and a number of Associate Justices nominated by the President and appointed by the Senate after review and confirmation. Congress fixes the number of Associate Justices in the Court, which currently stands at eight. 

Federal Justices are appointed for a lifetime term, barring impeachment or removal from the bench due to ill behavior. In addition, the Constitution states that their salary may never be reduced; it is believed this measure is included to ensure that the Justices are never inclined to leave the bench in pursuit of higher-paying positions with conflicting courts, firms or agencies.

Other officers associated with the Court include the Counselor to the Chief Justice, Clerk, Librarian, Marshal, Reporter of Decisions, Court Counsel, Curator, Director of Data Systems and Public Information Officer; these officers assist the Court and its Justices in carrying out their functions on a daily basis.

Article III Tribunals

Article III of the Constitution states that “the judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.” Due to the authority of this passage and the Judiciary Act of September 24, 1789, the Supreme Court was established on February 2, 1790.

This article also provides the powers granted to the Court, stating that it may hear any and all cases concerning U.S. laws or those in which the U.S. is a party, cases involving a state and/or citizens from a different state, and land disputes regarding property in another state when both parties reside in the same state. 

The Supreme Court is also given original jurisdiction over any case involving ambassadors and public ministers, as well as those where a state is a party. It acts as an appellate court in all other cases mentioned. At times, Congress may also call upon the Court to create Rules of Procedure to be followed by the lower U.S. courts.

Other Supreme Court Information

The annual term of the Court begins and ends on the first Monday in the month of October. Each year, nearly 10,000 petitions to have cases heard by the Court are filed, in addition to 1,200 cases which may be heard by individual justices.

Rulings and opinions published by the Justices are frequently relied upon to establish and update case law throughout the U.S. court system, and may be used in arguments and interpretations by attorneys or judges in lower courts. Further information may be found at the Supreme Court's website at

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/.