The highest federal court in the US; has final appellate jurisdiction and has jurisdiction over all other courts in the nation.
Highest US judicial tribunal, composed since 1869 of a chief justice (William Rehnquist from 1986) and eight associate justices. Appointments are made for life by the president, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and justices can be removed only by impeachment.
The US Supreme Court hears appeals from decisions of the US Court of Appeals and from the state supreme courts. It also adjudicates questions of constitutional propriety and conflicts between the executive and legislative branches of the federal government. See also individual biographies and court decisions.
The highest court in most states of the US; SYN. state supreme court, high court.