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READING 1 The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court Building, Washington, DC
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Read the following article. Pay special attention to the words in bold. 13.1
You have probably heard of the Supreme Court of the United States. Why was this court created, how are the justices selected, and how is it different from other courts?
The Supreme Court was created by the U.S. Constitution to balance the power of the president and Congress. It has nine justices1 , one of whom is the Chief Justice. The president nominates a justice, but he doesn’t have the final say. His choice has to be confirmed2 by the Senate. Supreme Court justices are not appointed for a fixed number of years. According to the Constitution, they “shall hold their offices during good behavior.” This usually means they serve for life or until they retire. Until 1981, all the justices were male. Then Sandra Day O’Connor, who was nominated by President Ronald Reagan, became the first female justice.
About 10,000 cases are filed every year, but the Supreme Court hears only about 75–80 cases. The Supreme Court hears cases that are appealed3 from lower courts when these courts are not able to resolve a conflict. No new evidence4 is presented, and no witnesses are heard. Attorneys5 present their case in writing and orally. The judges listen to each side, review the evidence that was presented in the lower courts, and meet privately to decide the case. A simple majority of five justices is all that is needed to decide a case.
Once a case is heard on the Supreme Court, it cannot be heard in any other court. The justices’ decision is final.
1 justice: a judge in a court of law 2 confirmed: formally accepted 3 appealed: brought from a lower court to a higher court for review 4 evidence: words or objects that support the truth of something 5 attorney: a lawyer
COMPREHENSION Based on the reading, write T for true or F for false.
1. The president has the final word in selecting a Supreme Court justice. 2. To decide a case, all the justices must agree. 3. A Supreme Court justice can serve for life.
