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The '''Supreme Court of the United States''' (SCOTUS) is the highest court of the judiciary of the [[United States of America]].  

The '''Supreme Court of the United States''' (SCOTUS) is the highest court of the judiciary of the [[United States of America]].  

==Structure==

==Structure==

The Court is composed of eight Associate Justices and one [[Chief Justice of the United States of America|Chief Justice]]. To assist them there are a multitude of clerks, guards, and other hired help.  Cases are heard en banc whenever the Court is in session. Historians generally divide Court history into eras named after the Chief Justice then presiding (e.g. the [[Rehnquist Court]]).  

The Court is composed of eight Associate Justices and one [[Chief Justice of the United States of America|Chief Justice]]. To assist them there are many clerks, guards, and staff.  Cases are heard en banc whenever the Court is in session. Historians generally divide Court history into eras named after the Chief Justice then presiding (e.g. the [[Rehnquist Court]]).  

Justices are appointed by the U.S. [[President]] with the advice and approval of the [[U.S. Senate]].  Justices must be approved by a majority of the [[Senate]].

Justices are appointed by the U.S. [[President]] with the advice and approval of the [[U.S. Senate]].  Justices must be approved by a majority of the [[Senate]].

==Opinions==  

==Opinions==  

Prior to the Marshall Court, the Court issued opinions in [[seratim]]. This means that each Justice wrote their own opinion and delivered it from the bench. Currently, the Court issues one opinion, said to be ''The opinion of the Court''. Opinions tend to have the history of the case, followed by the Court's reasoning and action. Generally the opinion will be written by a member of the majority, chosen by either the Chief Justice or the most senior Justice in the majority.

Prior to the Marshall Court, the Court issued [[opinion|opinions]] in [[seratim]]. This means that each Justice wrote their own opinion and delivered it from the bench. Currently, the Court issues one opinion, said to be ''The opinion of the Court''. Opinions tend to have the history of the case, followed by the Court's reasoning and action. Generally the opinion will be written by a member of the majority, chosen by either the Chief Justice or the most senior Justice in the majority.

When a majority of  Justices agree to the opinion, it is called the majority opinion. Occasionally, a majority of Justices agree to the [[remedy]], yet a minority of Justices agree with the main opinion. This is called a plurality opinion.  

When a majority of  Justices agree to the opinion, it is called the majority opinion. Occasionally, a majority of Justices agree to the [[remedy]], yet a minority of Justices agree with the main opinion. This is called a [[plurality opinion]].  

Justices that disagree with the Court's action can and frequently do write dissenting opinions, which state their objections to the ruling. When a Justice agrees with an action, but not the reasoning behind it, they may write a concurring opinion, which state the reasoning they would have used.   

Justices that disagree with the Court's action can and frequently do write [[dissenting opinion|dissenting opinions]], which state their objections to the ruling. When a Justice agrees with an action, but not the reasoning behind it, they may write a concurring opinion, which state the reasoning they would have used.   

==Current members==

==Current members==

[[Image:SCOTUS.jpg|The Supreme Court of the United States, 2007]]

[[Image:SCOTUS.jpg|The Supreme Court of the United States, 2007]]