Also known as: sup ct · sup.ct. · supreme court · Supreme Court · U.S. Sup. Ct.
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
The highest court in a judicial system with final appellate authority over questions of federal law and the Constitution.
Congress imposed a uniform excise tax on imported goods to fund national defense. Simon Stern, an importer, sued claiming the tax violated uniformity requirements. The sup. ct. upheld the statute as a valid exercise of the power to lay and collect taxes for the general welfare.
Prosecutors subpoenaed a wife to testify about private conversations with her husband during their marriage. Santiago Sanchez, the defendant, asserted the marital privilege. The sup. ct. protected the communications and required the government to overcome the presumption of confidentiality.
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Sylvia Santos offered testimony about prior business dealings in a contract suit. The opposing party objected on relevance grounds. The sup. ct. confirmed that relevant evidence remains admissible absent a constitutional, statutory, or rule-based exclusion.
A district court refused to dissolve an injunction halting construction on disputed land. Skyline Construction immediately appealed the order. The sup. ct. recognized that such interlocutory injunction rulings fall within appellate jurisdiction under the governing statute.
A key witness could not travel due to medical restrictions in a civil trial. Sophia Singh moved for contemporaneous video transmission. The sup. ct. permitted the procedure upon a showing of good cause and appropriate safeguards.
The President granted a pardon to a federal offender convicted of tax evasion. Scott Summers, the recipient, sought enforcement of the pardon against pending charges. The sup. ct. confirmed the executive authority to issue reprieves and pardons for federal offenses.
Article III vests the judicial power of the United States in one supreme Court and such inferior courts as Congress may establish. The judges hold office during good behavior with undiminished compensation.
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No. The sup. ct. possesses original jurisdiction only in cases affecting ambassadors, public ministers, consuls, and those in which a state is a party. In all other cases its jurisdiction is appellate.
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The sup. ct. recognizes a marital communications privilege that protects confidential exchanges made during marriage. The government bears the burden to overcome the presumption of confidentiality.
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The sup. ct. may review district court orders granting, refusing, modifying, or dissolving injunctions under the interlocutory appeal statute. Direct review in the sup. ct. is available only in limited circumstances.
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Marbury v. Madison <!-- acedexams opinion md v1 -- Case information - Court: Supreme Court of the United States - Decided: February 24, 1803 - Judges: Chief Justice Marshall Syllabus The Supreme Court of the United States has not power to issue a mandamus to a…