Contacting the U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the nation. Located at One First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20543, this court hears appeals from both federal and state courts which call interpretation of the Constitution into question. Only a select few cases from the many that are presented are actually heard on an annual basis.

Each year, nearly 10,000 requests are filed with the Supreme Court for appeals from across the nation, as well as approximately 1,200 which can be decided by only one Justice. The Supreme Court begins and ends its annual term on the first Monday in October.

Justices

This court is presided over by the Chief Justice of the United States, in addition to eight Associate Justices. The President of the United States appoints these Justices, and the Senate must approve them. 

Powers of the Supreme Court

Congress may ask the Supreme Court to determine rules of procedure for the lower courts. However, it is generally concerned with interpreting Constitutional law in the selected cases it hears. Decisions and opinions of the Justices are usually used to constitute what is known as “case law.”

 

Visiting the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court’s building may be toured by the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. An in-house legal library is also used by federal agency attorneys, Congress members and the Bar of the Court.

Records, Opinions and Files

On an annual basis, the Supreme Court generally reviews approximately 10,000 cases per term. The docket typically contains around 100 cases which are given “plenary review,” where attorneys are allowed to present oral arguments in the case. 

In addition to reviewing and either upholding or overturning previous rulings, the Justices frequently publish the majority and dissenting opinions for between 80 and 90 cases each term. These opinions reach a total of nearly 5,000 pages, and many can be accessed online.

The Supreme Court Justices are largely responsible for applying the Constitution to modern day situations, and may overturn prior decisions. In addition, the Court has the power to subject the legislative and executive branches of the government to a “judicial review.” When this happens, the checks and balances built into the system by the authors of the Constitution allow the Supreme Court to invalidate actions by these other branches. 

Specifically, the Constitution provides the Supreme Court the power to deal with cases and controversies. Upon announcing a ruling on a case concerning a constitutional issue, these decisions may only be reversed by a future ruling by the Supreme Court or an amendment to the Constitution.

Information on previous and current cases before the court may be found in person or online at

http://www.supremecourtus.gov

. You may also read the biographies of the current Justices, or learn about the oaths taken when they are confirmed and rules of the court.