US Supreme Court and civil rights Flashcards
(8 cards)
1
Q
What is the structure of the Supreme Court?
A
- 9 justices; 6 progressives, 3 progressives
- Highest court fof appeal
- Branch of US government
- Justices are nominated by the president and ratified by Congress
2
Q
What power does the Supreme Court have?
A
- Judicial review is the power of the Supreme Court to review laws passed and actions taken by branches of US government and determine if they are constitutional or not.
- If the Supreme Court decides that something is unconstitutional, it becomes ‘null and void’, meaning the act or action no longer has any legal effect.
3
Q
How is the judicial independence of the Supreme Court protected?
A
- The Supreme Court is a separate branch of US government.
- Justices are appointed for life.
- Judicial salaries are protected by the Constitution.
- New justices can only be appointed when a vacancy occurs.
3
Q
How is the judicial independence of the Supreme Court not protected?
A
- The appointment process includes nomination by the president and ratification by Congress.
- Justices and Supreme Court rulings are frequently attacked in US media by political parties.
- Congress can change the number of justices on the Court.
- Justices can be impeached by Congress.
4
Q
How is the judicial neutrality of the Supreme Court protected?
A
- Judges are expected to have extensive judicial experience.
- The American Bar Association produces reports within the appointment process to assess the qualification of the judge.
5
Q
How is the judicial neutrality of the Supreme Court not protected?
A
- The background of justices is very similar.
- Judged can take an active role in politics, giving speeches and making decisions that have political implications.
- There has been extensive media scrutiny of the personal background of justices.
6
Q
What is judicial review?
A
The power of the Supreme Court to rule acts or actions of federal and state government unconstitutional.
7
Q
A
