Blog Post 2: SCOTUS History

Brett Smoler

Professor Smith

Media, Law & Literacy (COM-1450-04)

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021

SCOTUS HISTORY

    The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court in the country and the head of the judicial branch of government. SCOTUS was established by the U.S. Constitution and it has the "ultimate jurisdiction" over all laws within the United States and is responsible for evaluating the constitutionality of those laws. 
    There are many things from the article Supreme Court, that I learned that I hadn't already known about the U.S. Supreme Court. I learned that the U.S. Supreme Court's first meeting was at the Merchant's Exchange building in New York, but instead of being held on February 1st, 1790; it was held on the 2nd due to some transportation issues with some of the justices. The article states, "The Supreme Court was set to first assemble on February 1, 1790 at the Merchants Exchange Building in New York City. But due to some justices' transportation issues, the meeting had to be postponed until the next day" (History.com para. 4).

    In the supreme court the justices work to keep the legal system moving. They pick a case to take from the thousands of cases that are sent in to them. Then have a meeting to decide how the constitution is related to this case and how are rights protected and/or not protected under the US constitution. Once they reach a decision the justices then write arguments to tell how they either agree with the decision reached or how they don't agree. This whole process takes weeks to do. So when people say the Supreme Court doesn't do anything just know they are the most hardworking branch in the government.