ExpertLaw.com Forums

The United States Supreme Court

Printable View

  • 10-01-2007, 06:01 AM
    BOR
    The United States Supreme Court
    Today the court starts it's new 2007 term, the 1st monday in October.

    The court was not furnished with thier own building until 1935. For most of the years of it's existence since 1789, except in Philadelphia and NY, it convened in the US Capitol building, moving rooms several times throughout.

    From 1819 until 1860 in the Old Supreme court chamber, where the Dred Scott decision was handed down. If one tours the Capitol, the Old SC chamber is included in the tour to gaze upon.

    http://www.aoc.gov/cc/capitol/oscc.cfm

    From 1860 -1935 they met in the Old Senate chamber.

    http://www.aoc.gov/cc/capitol/old_sen_ch.cfm

    From memory, the SC has reversed themselves about, oh, 175 + times, most notably Brown v. Board of Education overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.

    The SC is a beautiful building to tour. On the west pediment of the building, which faces 1st street, it has the legal maxim "Equal justice under law". Been there, seen that.

    There are busts of various justices for view during the tour. Also when the chamber is not in use, lectures are given about the history of the court, so one can actually sit in the chamber itself as if they were in attending an oral argument.

    As is being discussed in Blue Eagle's President thread, FDR tried to increase the # of Justices in the 1930's, but Congress refused.

    If I am not mistaken, when the court first was sworn in, there were only 6 justices making 3-3 decisions having to be ironed or argued out.

    Some decisions, according to a 15 page or so book I bought at the SC gift shop, are revised a dozen or more times before they are given to the Reporter of decisons for distribution.

    Little known fact, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., the writer, was the father of Associate SC justice OWH Jr.

    John Marshall, CJ for 35 years, IMO, was one of the greatest jurists/legal minds the world ever produced. His home in Richmond, I have never toured, but I would be thrilled to do so at some time in my life.

    He of course authored the landmark 1803 decision, Marbury v. Madison, where the SC ruled they have a right to declare federal laws unconsitutional.

    http://www.apva.org/marshall/justice/more_history.php

    The longest serving member of the court was William O. Douglas, more than 36 years. The late CJ William Rehnquist served for almost 34 years, being appointed at first as an Associate by President Richard Nixon.

    SC trivia. What was the only time in history the SC itself held a criminal trial of defendant's. In other words, they were not acting as an appeals court or an original jurisdiction court under the constitution.

    I love the Supreme Court and it's rich history.

    BOR (Bill of Rights)
  • 10-15-2007, 09:14 AM
    deadlock
    Re: The United States Supreme Court
    Quote:

    SC trivia. What was the only time in history the SC itself held a criminal trial of defendant's. In other words, they were not acting as an appeals court or an original jurisdiction court under the constitution.
    BOR,
    I think you must be refering to March 1974 when the Supreme Court charged the then U.S. Attorney General John N. Mitchell and six other Nixon administration officials with conspiracy to obstruct justice by covering up White House involvement in a scandal known as the Watergate cover up.:)
  • 10-15-2007, 10:31 AM
    BOR
    Re: The United States Supreme Court
    Quote:

    Quoting deadlock
    View Post
    BOR,
    I think you must be refering to March 1974 when the Supreme Court charged the then U.S. Attorney General John N. Mitchell and six other Nixon administration officials with conspiracy to obstruct justice by covering up White House involvement in a scandal known as the Watergate cover up.:)


    No, that's not it. The answer is on this link, I won't point it out for now. Since you like history, this link is a treasure trove. No hurry, I know you will enjoy reading some of the trials regardless if you find it fast or not.

    Good luck.


    http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/proj...ls/ftrials.htm
  • 10-15-2007, 06:56 PM
    deadlock
    Re: The United States Supreme Court
    Very interesting website. Thank you.
  • 10-16-2007, 04:38 AM
    BOR
    Re: The United States Supreme Court
    Quote:

    Quoting deadlock
    View Post
    Very interesting website. Thank you.


    Yes it is, you are welcome.


    Smooth sailing! ;)
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:51 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.4
Copyright © 2023 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2004 - 2018 ExpertLaw.com, All Rights Reserved