Final answer:
A Supreme Court justice is a member of the highest federal court in the U.S., serving a lifetime appointment. The Court consists of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices who interpret laws, assess lower court decisions, and determine constitutional applications. Their decisions set legal precedents that are binding nationwide.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of a Supreme Court Justice
A Supreme Court justice is a member of the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest federal court in the United States. The Court is composed of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. All nine justices serve lifetime appointments, which means they serve on the Court until they retire, pass away, or are impeached. These appointments are made by the President and must be confirmed by the Senate. Since 1869, the number of justices on the Supreme Court has been set at nine.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Supreme Court is the 'court of last resort,' meaning it is the final court where legal cases can be appealed. It has both original and appellate jurisdiction, allowing it to hear a wide range of cases, including those that affect the constitutionality of laws. The decisions made by the Supreme Court have a profound impact on American law and society because they set precedents that are binding across the nation and influence the interpretation of the law in the future.
Each justice, whether a Chief Justice or an Associate Justice, plays a critical role in deliberating and deciding cases brought before the Court. They interpret existing laws, assess the validity of lower court decisions, and determine how the Constitution should be applied in different legal situations. In doing so, justices must follow the Constitution and the law, despite their personal policy preferences or political leanings. They contribute to the majority or minority opinions that become part of the legal framework of the United States.