Facts about the Judicial Branch by: Aireannah and Zoe

1. Which article in the U.S Constitution established the judicial branch of government

with the creation of the Supreme Court?

Article 3 in the U.S. Constitution established the Judicial Branch.

2. What is the power the judiciary has to “checks and balance” the legislative and executive branches?

The law starts at Congress, goes to the executive branch, then goes to the legislative branch. If the law passes through Congress and the President and the Supreme Court doesn’t agree then they can negate the law.

3. What founding document is the Supreme Court often called to interpret through its

rulings?

The U.S. Constitution is the founding document the Supreme Court uses to interpret their rulings.

4. If the Supreme Court rules a law 4. If the Supreme Court rules a law passed by Congress as unconstitutional, passed by Congress as unconstitutional, what happens to the law?what happens to the law?

The law goes The law goes back to the back to the Congress to Congress to make it new make it new and improved.and improved.

Supreme Court Congress Building

How many Justices serve on the Supreme Court (at one time)?

There are eight justices and one chief justice on the court at one time.

Chief Justice

6. For how long can Supreme 6. For how long can Supreme Court Justices remain on the Court Justices remain on the

bench?bench?

Life term provided they have Life term provided they have good behavior.good behavior.

7. In what month and on what day does the Supreme Court convene, or meet to begin its term?

The Supreme Court meets the first Monday of October.

8. Does the Supreme Court have to agree to hear all of the

cases it is asked to consider?

No, because there are too many cases. They don’t have enough time for all of them.

NO!!

9. What are the trial courts in the federal system called?

The Federal courts are called the United States District Courts.

10. In what federal Judicial district is our 10. In what federal Judicial district is our school located?school located?

Our school is located in the 9th Circuit.

The chief justice of the U.S. is John G. Roberts, Jr.The chief justice of the U.S. is John G. Roberts, Jr.