The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the nation. It serves as the final arbiter of law, ensuring that the actions of the President and Congress follow the Constitution.
The Court consists of nine Justices: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. They are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate for life terms (or until they choose to retire).
The Court's greatest power is "judicial review"—the ability to declare laws or government actions "unconstitutional," effectively striking them down. This ensures that even the most powerful politicians must follow the rules of the Constitution.
Thousands of cases are appealed to the Supreme Court every year, but the Court only hears about 70 to 80 of them. Most cases reach the Court through a "writ of certiorari," which is a request for the Court to review a lower court's decision.
After hearing oral arguments, the Justices vote in private. They then issue "opinions" that explain their reasoning. A majority opinion sets the legal precedent for the entire country.