The Judicial Branch

1) Interprets the meaning of U.S laws

 2) Applies laws to individual cases 

3) Decides if laws violate the Constitution.

 

• Supreme Court - The highest court in the United States.

• The Justices - Nominated by the President and must be approved by the Senate (with at least 51 votes).

• Congress decides the number of justices.

• Currently, there are nine (9).

• They serve until their death, retirement, or removal in exceptional circumstances.

 

 

 

*Important Supreme Court Cases*:

1) Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Holding: Separate schools are not equal.

 

2) U.S. v. Nixon (1974)
Holding: The President is not above the law.

 

3) Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Holding: School initiated-prayer in the public school system

 

4) Goss v. Lopez (1975)

Holding: Students are entitled to certain due process rights. violates the First Amendment.

 

5) Roper v. Simmons (2005)
Holding: It is cruel and unusual punishment to execute persons for crimes they committed before age 18.