What do we need a Supreme Court for ?
discuss
shareSome people like the extra sour cream and tomatoes.
shareNow THAT's funny!
shareI don't get that joke.
share
MovieChat Forums > Politics > What do we need a Supreme Court for ?
[deleted]
Simple answer:
There needs to be a single entity with decisive power in regards to jurisprudence because without such an entity there will be differences in decisions and interpretations of prior rulings that could not be resolved between different parties with equal authority.
Imagine two "Supreme Courts" deciding on an issue, both claiming equal authority. If one Court ruled differently than the other, which ruling should be followed? This is a common occurrence between different appellate courts with equal authority, and the Supreme Court's typical function is to provide decisions on these matters that every other court must abide by.
Decision making by this court has lost it's way.
Supreme Court decisions have always been controversial at times. Chief Justice John Marshall is famous for his controversial decisions, including the establishment of the concept of judicial review, a doctrine not mentioned in the Constitution, and that also seems to be what you are frustrated with. John Marshall also had a famous feud with Andrew Jackson and the history of that and the decision in Marbury v. Madison are both interesting reads.
By and large though the Supreme Court delivers rulings regarding numerous, random appellate decisions that few know or care about. The heavily politicized and media covered decisions are a small fraction of their typical annual case loads and as I mentioned before a single highest court, such as the Supreme Court, is necessary in a legal system where rulings may be appealed.