Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in our nation and is often times referred to as the

final court of appeals, since most of the cases heard are cases that have been appealed.

Nine Supreme Court Justices

Back row (left to right): Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen G. Breyer, Samuel A. Alito, and Elena Kagan. Front row (left to right): Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Anthony Kennedy, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Famous Justices

John Jay• John Jay was this countries

very first Supreme Court Justice. He was appointed in 1789 by George Washington. He was offered the Secretary of State position which he turned down because it was a new position at the time. John Jay heard only 4 cases in the six years he served.

John Marshall• John Marshall was the 4th Chief Justice

of the Supreme Court appointed by 1755 -1835. Appointed by President and became the 4th longest serving justice. He was appointed by John Adam he served under 6 presidents: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. Marshall heard many important cases but the two that standout the most are the eveer so important Maybury vs. Madison and McCulloch vs. Maryland equaled the balance of power by determining that states could not tax federal institutions.

William Taft• William Taft is the only

person in history to serve as President and as Supreme Court Justice. Taft served as Supreme Court Justice from 1921 -1930 and was appointed by the President who defeated him, Woodrow Wilson.

Thurgood Marshall• Thurgood Marshall was this

countries first black Supreme Court Justice appointed 1967 by John F Kennedy and served until 1991

• Marshall became well known as the lawyer who won the a ground breaking and precedence setting case of Brown vs. Board of Education decision which desegregated public schools in the US.–

Earl Warren• Chief Justice • (1953–1969)• 30th Gov of California (1943–

1953) • Brown vs. Board of

Education• Chaired the controversial

Warren Commission in association to the JFK Assassination. LHO acted alone!

Sandra Day O’Connor

• Sandra Day O’Connor was this countries first female Supreme Court Justices when appointed in 1981 by Ronald Reagan. She served up until her retirement in 2006.

Impeachment

• to accuse (a public official) before an appropriate tribunal of misconduct in office for possible removal

• 2 Presidents have been impeached– Andrew Johnson– William Clinton