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The Supreme Court is the highest federal court with original jurisdiction over a wide variety of types of cases, including those relating to the Constitution or U.S. laws. It has appellate jurisdiction over the decisions of lower federal courts. About 100 cases are heard each term through Oral Arguments in which lawyers for each side have 1/2 hour to argue their case and answers question. The Justices then vote and deliver an opinion on the case.

Supreme Court Oral Arguments
Supreme Court Oral Arguments Activity
Listen Rasul v. Bush & Al Odah v. U.S. (April 2004)

Use the resources on this page to explore the job of a Supreme Court Justice and the nomination and confirmation process.

TELEVISION PROGRAMMING >>
America and the Courts is C-SPAN's weekly look at the federal court system. America and the Courts airs Saturdays on C-SPAN at 7pm ET.

The Job
The Supreme Court is made up of nine members, all of whom have a lifetime appointment. The U.S. Constitution grants the President of the United States the power to nominate a Supreme Court Justice. However, through "advice and consent," the Senate has the power to confirm that nominee.
	What are the pro's/con's regarding the election versus appointment of judges? (Associate Justice John Paul Stevens) View clip \| Read clip transcript
	How do you separate your emotions from the cases you hear? (Associate Justice Clarence Thomas) View clip \| Read clip transcript
The Process
	What is a 'typical day' like at the Supreme Court? (Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor) View clip \| Read clip transcript
	To what degree do precedent cases influence your decision in a case? (Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg) View clip \| Read clip transcript

Profile Interviews
William H. Rehnquist (4/13/2002)
John Paul Stevens (11/11/2000)
Sandra Day O'Connor (12/9/2000)
Antonin Scalia (1/6/2001)
Anthony Kennedy (2/3/2001)
David Souter (3/3/2001)
Clarence Thomas (4/7/2001)
Q&A Sessions
William H. Rehnquist (4/13/2002)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg(1/30/2002)
Clarence Thomas (12/13/2000)
Anthony Kennedy (12/14/1999)
Sandra Day O'Connor and Stephen Breyer (12/10/1998)
Stephen Breyer (1/16/97)
Additional Resources
C-SPAN's America & the Courts
McConnell v. Federal Election Commission Transcripts
Other Websites
Supreme Court
Federal Courts
Federal Judicial Center
Booknotes Resources
David Atkinson Leaving the Bench: Supreme Court Justices at the End
R. Kent Newmyer John Marshall and the Heroic Age of the Supreme Court
Edward Lazarus Closed Chambers: The First Eyewitness Account of the Epic Struggles Inside the Supreme Court
Students & Leaders
Stephen Breyer
Sandra Day O'Connor
Clarence Thomas

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Legislative Branch
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Vocabulary
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Activities
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Legislative Branch Leaders
U.S. Senate Web Site
U.S. House Web Site
Executive Branch
Standard-Based Topics
Vocabulary
Quiz
Activities
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Executive Branch Leaders
White House Web Site

Judicial Branch
Standard-Based Topics
Vocabulary
Quiz
Activities
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Judicial Branch Leaders
U.S. Supreme Court Web Site
Federal Courts Web Site

3 Branches of Government

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