Supreme Court Opinions

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and has the final say on all legal matters.

The President of the United States appoints the justices of the Supreme Court, subject to the approval of the Senate.

There are currently 9 justices on the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court justices serve for life, or until they retire, resign, or are impeached.

The Supreme Court's primary role is to interpret the Constitution and to ensure that all laws are in accordance with it.

The Supreme Court decides cases through a process that includes oral arguments, written briefs, conferences, and voting.

The Supreme Court's decision in a case is contained in a document called an opinion.

The Supreme Court can issue different types of opinions, including majority opinions, dissenting opinions, concurring opinions, and per curiam opinions.

A Supreme Court opinion becomes the law of the land, sets a precedent for future cases, can be overturned by a lower court, and can be amended by Congress.

Marbury v. Madison is considered the most famous Supreme Court opinion in history because it established the principle of judicial review, which allows the Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt is the most recent Supreme Court opinion on abortion. It struck down two provisions of a Texas law that restricted access to abortion.

Obergefell v. Hodges is the most recent Supreme Court opinion on same-sex marriage. It legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin is the most recent Supreme Court opinion on affirmative action. It upheld the use of race as a factor in college admissions, but it also limited the use of race-based affirmative action programs.

District of Columbia v. Heller is the most recent Supreme Court opinion on gun control. It held that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to keep and bear arms for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense in the home.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is the most recent Supreme Court opinion on campaign finance. It held that corporations and unions have the same First Amendment rights as individuals and that they can spend unlimited amounts of money on independent political expenditures.