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After the Constitution was written, the leaders of the nation created the judicial branch. The duties of its members are to examine and make decisions as to whether laws are constitutional. The judicial branch consists of federal judges, who are also known as justices. The judicial branch settles the differences about the meanings of laws. The justices help people understand the laws of the United States. The judicial branch is the home of the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest court in the land. Since 1869, there have been nine justices serving on the Supreme Court. The President of the United States chooses each justice. However, the legislative branch must approve the President’s choice. A justice serves on the Supreme Court for life, or until he/she retires. However, the Senate can impeach or remove a justice if they are not doing the job right.
The first justices were John Jay, James Tredell, John Blair, William Cushing, James Wilson, and John Rutlege.
The first woman to be appointed as a Supreme Court judge was Sandra Day O’Conner in 1981.
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