Supreme Court: Its History and Importance

     The Supreme Court is the highest level court system in the United States and arguably the world. It consists of nine judges, one is appointed the Chief Justice, and each serve a life term. All Supreme Court justices must be nominated by the current President after the death of an existing Judge or upon their retirement. However it is the Senate's responsibility to vote on the appointment of the new judge and need the majority vote to officially swear in the judge. The Supreme Court works separate from the other branches of government and therefore makes their decisions without any bias towards the current administration.

In the early years of the Supreme Court John Marshall was the Chief Justice and during that time helped move the Supreme Court towards the prestigious institution it is today. In 1857 the Supreme Court ruled on the case of Dred Scott vs. Sandford, Dred Scott was a slave from Missouri who claimed his freedom under Congress, the Supreme Court then had to rule on if the Constitution called for citizenship for black people. Chief Justice, Roger Turney, ruled that congress had no power to end slavery and that black people could never be citizens. This decision tainted the reputation of the Supreme Court for years. 

    

Before a case is heard in front of the Supreme Court it must go through a trial court in order to establish the facts, in some cases if the lower courts ruled in the correct manner, and if it is a Constitutional case. It is difficult to get a case to the Supreme Court as you must place a petition to even have the case considered. It must work its way through the lower level courts as well before being up for consideration. Although it is a long tedious process the Supreme Court rules in favor of the Constitution, something they have used as a guide since its inception.

The purpose of the Supreme Court is to uphold the Constitution without bias or prejudice. This may seem like a difficult feat but it is a part of their job to protect the Constitution and install justice for the American people. Overall the Supreme Court is one of the most important parts in the wheels that turn democracy.