Exploring the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. It has the ultimate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases and state court cases involving federal or constitutional law. The Supreme Court is fundamental to our nation and society. Through the videos I watched, I gained insights into the court that I had not previously known. 

One thing I had yet to learn before watching the video is that the Supreme Court receives over 7,000 cases a year but hears only around 100 of them. I was surprised by how selective the Court has to be. The court focuses only on cases with significant constitutional implications or major societal impact. The court does not correct errors from lower courts; its focus is to interpret and determine how laws fit or don’t fit in with the U.S. Constitution. This helps to maintain the balance of power across the different branches of government.

I believe that the most important takeaway from the video is how much the Constitution influences the Court’s decisions. It is incredible that this 200-year-old document is still the foundation for our laws today. Justices are challenged to apply this old document to modern-day problems and laws. 

What surprised me most is what happens when the Supreme Court refuses to hear a case. It doesn’t mean they agree with the lower court; it just means they’ve chosen not to get involved. This "deciding not to decide" can still have a significant effect by leaving existing rulings in place, especially if those rulings are problematic. 

Overall, the Supreme Court is tasked with protecting the Constitution and ensuring it remains relevant in our world today. The decisions made or even avoided by the court profoundly affect every aspect of our lives, including our individual rights and our government's power.