Supreme Court Reflection

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the country.

Before watching this documentary, I knew the Supreme Court was the highest court in the United States, but I did not realize how selective the process is. One of the most interesting things I learned is that Supreme Court cases begin with petitions, and although thousands are submitted each year, only about 100 are accepted.

I also learned more about how the Court operates behind closed doors. According to the documentary, all decisions are made in private, and the justices must wait for legal problems to come before them rather than going out and looking for issues to solve.

The most important takeaway for me is that the Court's power depends on public faith. The documentary emphasized that the Supreme Court has no power unless people believe in its impartiality and respect its decisions.

Another point that stood out was how the justices work together despite disagreements. The documentary explained that the first thing they do when they meet is shake hands, symbolizing that they will not hold grudges against one another. That tradition reflects the importance of maintaining respect even when opinions differ.

The most surprising thing I learned was the sheer number of cases the Court receives. I was amazed to hear that around 7,000 cases are submitted each year and that the Court receives roughly 100 new cases each week.

I was also surprised by how brief oral arguments are. Lawyers get just 30 minutes per side to present arguments before nine justices who may already have their own ideas about the issues being discussed.

The documentary also explored important moments in the Court's history, including the Dred Scott case, which was described as a self-inflicted wound, and the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law. These examples showed how deeply the Court's decisions can affect the nation.

Overall, the video changed the way I think about the Supreme Court. I used to see it mainly as a place where judges make decisions, but now I see it as an institution built on public trust, careful deliberation, and the responsibility of interpreting the Constitution. The documentary made the Court seem more human, while also showing just how significant its role is.