Judicial+Branch+of+U.S.+Government


 * PURPOSE**

The [|judicial branch] of the [|United States government]interprets the laws. The Supreme Court is the highest court in all of the justice system.


 * ORGANIZATION**

The judicial branch consists of the [|Supreme Court] and the state and local courts. Federal courts other than the Supreme Court are the circuit courts, appeals courts, and claims courts. The appeals courts have to do with cases in which people try to appeal that they aren't guilty. The claims courts have to do with cases that deal with financial issues. This branch also includes the police forces. The Chief Justice helps with all of the organization and planning of the cases.


 * OFFICERS**

There are nine Supreme Court justices and one Chief Justice included in those nine.


 * DUTIES**

The judicial branch hears cases that challenge or require interpretation of the legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President.


 * TERM OF OFFICE**

The term of office for a Supreme Court justice is life. There is no regulation on age to be a Supreme Court justice; however, there is really no logical way that someone who is too young could be elected. To become a part of the Supreme Court you have to be nominated by the President and the Senate has to approve by a one half majority. There are three ways that they can leave office. They are: 1. Death 2. Resignation 3. Impeachment and then kicked out of office


 * TRIALS**

When a case reaches the Supreme Court it has already been through many other federal courts. The Justices are already familiar with these cases. Each side gets thirty minutes to argue their case. The justices can interrupt at any moment and ask questions that they think need answered to decide the case. The Supreme Court handles up to 4-5 cases a day. There are approximately 80-150 cases each year. Each Justice gets to pick five cases that they think should be tried. The rest of the cases are decided by a majority vote. All of the cases that reach the Supreme Court have to do with Constitutional issues. There are also emergency rulings that the Supreme Court has. From October through Febuary or March the Supreme Court tries the cases. From Febuary or March through June the judges do their research and announce their decisions. For the rest of the year, the justices get a vacation and plan for the next year's trials.