A Supreme Court Justice

You’re the chief justice, or head judge, of the most powerful court in the country. Along with federal courts and judges, the Supreme Court forms the judicial branch of the government. The Court’s term runs from October through June or July. Today you report for work at the Supreme Court Building (above) in Washington, D.C. 

The Supreme Court’s nine justices determine whether laws passed by Congress or the states violate the Constitution. If so, the Court can overturn them. Before today’s session, you look over the cases you’ll be hearing. Most cases you hear are appeals, or requests for a new ruling on a lower court’s decision.

The second case you hear today challenges whether a climate change law recently passed by Congress is constitutional. By reviewing a law passed by Congress or an order made by the president, the Supreme Court “checks and balances” the power of the other branches of government.

You pop by the Supreme Court cafeteria. The newest justice oversees the cafeteria committee. After lunch, you give the frozen yogurt machine a try. Turns out even justices get brain freeze. Ow!

Court is finished for today, but you need to prepare for a meeting later this week. You’ll be leading the other justices in a discussion and a vote about the cases that you just heard. The Court’s most senior justice in the majority will decide who writes the statement explaining the Court’s decision, known as the opinion. (A justice on the minority side often writes a dissenting, or opposing, opinion.) The majority opinion is the final ruling on the case.

The justices often get together for meals. It’s a chance to get to know one another better, although some of you have been working together for years. (Justices—who are nominated by the president and approved by the Senate—serve for life, or until they retire.) 

It’s been a long day protecting the constitutional rights of the American people. Serving on one of the most respected courts in the world is hard work—and you’re ready to zone out. Time to binge-watch Stranger Things!