The Supreme Court has been in the news a lot lately in these highly charged politically times. I am not an expert on the Supreme Court, but there are a few interesting facts I want to share with all of you.
Antonin Scalia while he was alive was one of the most ardent conservatives to occupy the court since the civil war probably, yet one of his closest friends on the court was Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of its most liberal justices.
It always proved to me that it was perfectly reasonable for two reasonable and credible people to have opposite opinions on matters yet remain friends.
As they are appointed for a lifetime, they are free to decide cases on their own legal principals and not on political considerations. Often over the tenure of a court, the justices will shift positions, some conservatives becoming more liberal, some liberal becoming more conservative and often have disappointed the president who appointed them.
The courts are identified according to the Chief Justice at the time, this present court is the 17th and is referred to as the Roberts Court after Chief Justice John Roberts.
The term Circuit Court comes from the old practice of having judges go to towns to hold court sessions periodically hence, riding a circuit. The Justices likewise were required to preside over a circuit court once a year somewhere in the country.
The Supreme Court did not have an dedicated home till 1935. The Supreme Court was formed in 1789 but it took 144 years to find a home.
David Brewer served on the court with his uncle Steven Field.
Once Justice Byron White was a professional football player before earning his degree. When he retired, he was replaced by Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Just a few things to think about.
Have a great weekend everybody.
Ed
