Ap Government And Politics

Submitted By indigomairi
Words: 900
Pages: 4
Open Document
AP Government and Politics
The Supreme Court
2/8/13

The Supreme Court plays a complex role in our system of government and as a result, is perhaps the most misunderstood branch. Its’ justices hold a great deal of power and yet must rely on Congress and the President to enforce their decisions. This paradoxical conundrum is only one of the factors that set the Court apart. Its unique nature invites confusion into not only its purpose but where it fits in with the other two branches. The Supreme Court acts as a voice of reason in government, not immune to popular opinion but not liable to fall victim to its wishes either. Due to the Constitutional provision that grants life terms for justices, as well as their appointment by the President and confirmation by the Senate, they are insulated from public opinion and mustn’t base their every action on a desire for approval since they do not require it for elections to retain their position. Some may argue that these characteristics of the Court cause it to be undemocratic in nature. Another insulation device is their ability to debate and make decisions on cases in private away from public scrutiny. These features of the Court all serve to heighten its prestige, which elevates the Supreme Court above the other two branches of the national government in the minds of many Americans. Due to this elevated status, decisions of the Court are typically held in high esteem by the public which encourages the President to enforce their rulings. Although the Court appears to hold a great deal of power, it has no ability of its own to enforce its decisions: for that it must rely on Congress and the President. Throughout history, this has played out both positively and negatively. The case Worcester v. Georgia in 1832 resulted in the ruling that the state of Georgia did not have the authority to forcibly remove Cherokee Native Americans from their lands. However, President Andrew Jackson disregarded this decision and, sympathetic to Georgia, assisted in the forced relocation of the Cherokee to what is present day Oklahoma in 1838, commonly known as the Trail of Tears. The Court had no power to ensure that the President would enforce their decision. However, at a later date in history, the results of a case also requiring the support of the President played out rather differently. In 1954 the case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was heard by the Supreme Court. The ruling that separate wasn’t equal due to the negative psychological connotations the sentiment held for the colored races was not one wildly popular in many areas of the nation, particularly the south. In September of 1957, nine black students enrolled at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The governor of that state ordered the National Guard to surround the school and prevent any African American student from entering. Several weeks after the start of the school year, with unsuccessful attendance so far, President Dwight Eisenhower sent federal troops to escort the students through a mob of protestors into the building. Not only was this a major defining moment of the civil rights movement, it demonstrates the necessity of the President’s willingness to enforce Supreme Court decisions. The need for the President’s support is not the only check the executive and legislative branches have on the judicial. The President is also responsible for nominating justices who must be confirmed by the Senate. Congress is able to impeach
Show More

Related Documents: Ap Government And Politics

Essay on Supreme Court of the United States and Supreme Court

The supreme court of the United States is highest judiciary body in the United States which is a Federal judiciary. There also know as the chief of justice and eight associate justices. The people are nominated by the president and confirmed with the “advice and consent” majority vote of the senate. Once appointed justices effectively have life tenure, serving “during good behavior”, terminates “only upon death, resignation, retirement, or convector on impeachment. The court also meets in Washington…

Words 689 - Pages 3

Supreme Court Report

Court Visit We visited District and Supreme Court In Central Brisbane. The court that we visited fits in the hierarchy as being the courts after magistrates and before the high court. The court system has a hierarchy for a reason this is because it would make the court more fluent and means the minor cases can be dealt with the lower ranking courts and the serious cases like murder or manslaughter can be dealt with the higher courts such as the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court I had visited is only…

Words 730 - Pages 3

Supreme Court Decision

Supreme Court Decision Marie A. Spicer HIS303 Professor Connor November 8, 2013 Thesis Even though no one has a right to end a life, why take it out on an innocent baby. If you become pregnant then you should give birth, or should you? Roe verses Wade was a Landmark decision for Woman. The right to an abortion is without a doubt a decision that should be made by the women. The moment of conception is indeed life. Abortion is something I do not believe in for…

Words 1129 - Pages 5

Supreme Court Controversy

The United States Supreme Court is one of the branches of the United States government which was established by the United States constitution. The court was established by the Judiciary Act of 1789.The United States constitution under Article III further states the powers of the Supreme Court. Over the years, however, many critics have felt that the U.S Supreme Court have overstepped its mandate by hearing and even determining cases that do not fall under its jurisdiction. The court’s jurisdiction…

Words 252 - Pages 2

Courts: Supreme Court of the United States and Court Essay

The court plays a very critical role in American Criminal Justice. Without the development of courts, those who violate the law would face no penalty and would commit crimes and walk free. In this paper I will evaluate and examine the American Criminal court system. I will describe the court and the purpose that it serves as so I will also define the dual court system. I will also describe the role that early legal codes, the common law and the precedent played in the development of courts. The…

Words 855 - Pages 4

Essay about Sociology: Supreme Court of the United States and Supreme Court

vital that we understand and use our freedom of speech since it is our natural right. Throughout history, this has been an issue mostly not because it offends other students but because school officials personally find it offensive. When the Supreme Court first established freedom of speech the idea that a student felt that they had the right to express their freedom of speech in school was just a fig of the imagination. During that time period, school was considered a privilege and all students…

Words 1962 - Pages 8

Supreme Court Research Paper

What is a Court A court is a place where trials and legal cases happen, or the people who are present in such a place, especially those officials and those deciding if someone is guilty of committing a crime. Courts in the U.S. The courts of the United States are very closely related to the hierarchical systems of courts at the federal levels and state levels. The federal courts are the ones that make up the judicial branch of the Federal government and operate under the strict authority of the…

Words 514 - Pages 3

Us Supreme Court Essay

MAPP V OHIO Mapp V Ohio is a famous Supreme Court case that has affected many American lives. Police officers suspected Miss Mapp of owning a bomb in her house. The officers attempted an initial visit but failed. After that they returned with a search warrant for a bomb, police forcibly entered the residence, and conducted a search. Obscene materials have been found but no bomb. Miss Mapp was trialed and convicted for these materials. The constitutional issue of the case was whether evidence…

Words 1143 - Pages 5

Supreme Court Cases Essay

Writing Lab/Period 8 th March 18 2015 WA#1 The Supreme Court, also known as the land’s “high court”, is the highest Federal court in the United States. It was created in Article III of the Constitution to promise the American people equivalent justice under law. Its purpose is to make a final judgment in cases having to do with laws of Congress and the highest document of all, the Constitution. The Constitution institutes the power, to the Supreme Court, to check the actions of the President and Congress…

Words 3224 - Pages 13

Supreme Court Case Analysis

The Court said that even though the interaction between the Judicial and Executive Branch seems burdensome, there needs to be overlapping when there is an issue raised on on whether it is constitutional. On account of, that each branch checks each other's action as it is written in the Constitution. In example, the Court has “the authority to determine whether the President is acting within the law. Therefore, the Court held that the doctrine of separation of powers does not require federal courts…

Words 631 - Pages 3