Marshall and the Supreme Court

Article III of the United States Constitution creates the Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States. Supreme Court decisions can only be overturned by a Constitutional amendment or a later decision of the Supreme Court. The Court has jurisdiction over all federal court cases, and over any state court case that involves federal law.

The Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice of the United States and a number of Associate Justices; the number of Associate Justices is set by Congress. All justices of the Supreme Court must be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Justices are approved for life unless they resign, retire, or are impeached. Did you know that the Supreme Court originally had five Associate Justices and a Chief Justice? In 1801 to 1869, Congress changed this number to seven Associate Justices. Now there are eight Associate Justices and one Chief Justice. Visit the Supreme Court of the United States’ website to learn about each of the current Justices.