Changes

The Chief Justice’s vote is not worth more than any other Justice on the Court.  However, he does have the advantage of deciding who writes the opinion for his side in a case.  Whichever side he is on (majority or dissent), he picks the person to write the decision of his side.  In important cases, he picks himself to write it.  The most senior justice on the other side picks who writes the opinion for that side.

The Chief Justice’s vote is not worth more than any other Justice on the Court.  However, he does have the advantage of deciding who writes the opinion for his side in a case.  Whichever side he is on (majority or dissent), he picks the person to write the decision of his side.  In important cases, he picks himself to write it.  The most senior justice on the other side picks who writes the opinion for that side.

The infamous Roe v. Wade decision promoting abortion was by a 7-2 vote, with Rehnquist in dissent.  Court folklore is that Chief Justice Warren Burger was himself against abortion, but voted with the majority in order to be able to select the author of the opinion.  He picked Justice Blackmun, a longtime friend of his.  However, Justice Blackmun then wrote a dreadful opinion.

The infamous Roe v. Wade decision promoting abortion was by a 7-2 vote.  Court folklore is that Chief Justice Warren Burger was himself against abortion, but voted with the majority in order to be able to select the author of the opinion.  He picked Justice Blackmun, a longtime friend of his.  However, Justice Blackmun then wrote a dreadful opinion.

Each State also has its own Supreme Court to oversee the state court system.  However, its name is not always “Supreme Court.”  In New York, oddly enough, the “Supreme Court” is the lowest level, where trials are held.  The highest appellate court is the “New York Court of Appeals.”

Each State also has its own Supreme Court to oversee the state court system.  However, its name is not always “Supreme Court.”  In New York, oddly enough, the “Supreme Court” is the lowest level, where trials are held.  The highest appellate court is the “New York Court of Appeals.”