Supreme Court Videos

 After watching the videos on the Supreme Court, I learned a lot more about the role that the Supreme Court plays in our government. The Supreme Court is the most powerful segment of the judicial governing body. So how exactly does it work? Well, for starters, the Supreme Court is composed of nine justices that each serve a sixteen year term. These justices get involved with hundreds of cases each week that have requested their help via written petitions. In order to determine the outcome of the cases, the Supreme Court delegates and comes to a decision in private. 

All of the Supreme Court's power is held within both the history of the Constitution and the faith of the public. Before the Marbury V. Madison case in 1803, the court had only a fraction of the power that it holds today. Through a concept known as judicial review, coined by Chief Justice John Marshall, the Supreme Court has grown into a major position of strength. Through a vertical check and balances system and judicial review, the Supreme Court has the power to review and monitor the actions of the other governing branches. 

What some people don't realize is that in a way, the Supreme Court is holding "the land of the free" (America) together. If the Supreme Court ever stopped enforcing the constitutional law and or the people stopped following it, then our country would be in shambles. 

I found the importance and role of the Supreme Court really interesting. I appreciate the idea of having the judicial branch checking on the other governing branches so that nobody has too much power. Something that surprised me was the sixteen year terms each justice carries out. I feel like it is such an odd number to be in that position for as it is the same time spent in power as it would be for four presidential terms.