Law unit2notes3

THE SUPREME COURT

There are 9 justices Majority Rules- Decisions can be 5-4

Odd number so there can never be a tie

Justices are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate Example of checks and balances Justices appointed for life

Death, Retirement or Impeachment

Chief Justice- Head of the Supreme Court John Roberts- (2005-Present) Replaced William Rehnquist- (1986-

2005)

Supreme Court sets important legal precedents- legal decision that acts as a guide to other situations or decisions All courts in the US must follow

Supreme Court decisions

Supreme Court Firsts: First African American- Thurgood

Marshall First Woman- Sandra Day O’Connor First Hispanic- Sonia Sotomayor

Current Members (and the Presidents that appointed them) Chief Justice John Roberts (George W.

Bush) Elena Kagan (Barack Obama) Antonin Scalia (Ronald Regan)

*Deceased

Anthony Kennedy (Ronald Reagan) Clarence Thomas (George H.W. Bush) Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Bill Clinton)

Stephen Breyer (Bill Clinton) Samuel Alito (George W. Bush) Sonya Sotomayor (Barack Obama)