That selectivity is part of what makes it one of the most powerful branches of the judicial system.
At its core, the Court has one job: interpreting a Constitution that's over 200 years old. Judges must decide whether a law fits within that document — a document written for a very different world.
Justices serve about 16 years on average, sometimes much longer. They're appointed by the president, but that doesn't mean they're immune to public opinion. It still shapes the conversation around the Court.
Two cases define much of its legacy. Marbury v. Madison, decided under Chief Justice John Marshall, established judicial review — the power to strike down unconstitutional laws. Dred Scott, on the other hand, is widely regarded as one of the Court's biggest mistakes.
That history matters. Over 200 years of decisions gives the Court a record to learn from — and a reason to keep evolving.
The Court has become more inclusive over time, too. Ruth Bader Ginsburg's presence on the bench is one example of that shift.
Behind the scenes, oral arguments let lawyers lay out their case and the law behind it. But the real time sink? Writing opinions. It's one of the most demanding parts of the job.
Judges can also be stubborn. Once an opinion is formed, changing it isn't easy.
Still, the Court's role isn't just procedural. It exists to protect unpopular people and unpopular opinions — and justices can use their decisions to send a message far beyond the courtroom.
Importantly, the Court isn't untouchable. It can be overruled through constitutional amendments.
And through it all, transparency matters. Decisions of this magnitude shouldn't happen behind closed doors.
AI DISCLOSURE: AI was used in a limited way in this assignment. I took ample notes while watching a 20-minuet video about the U.S Supreme Court. I them personalized those notes by adding my point of veiw, for example, things I found surprising or interesting about what I learned. I then used Claude AI to help me clean up the test for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. I also asked the tool to help me shape it into th form of a blog post. I then edited the test, added links, and added images and captions
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