Supreme Court Justice Duties
U.S. Supreme Court justices have one of the most complex jobs in the government. Their duties consist of more than just deciding whether dozens of judges in lower state and federal courts have made proper decisions.
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Reading
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A justice must read; briefs, relevant case law, statutes, legal scholarship and previous court opinions must be read for each case in order to form an intelligent opinion. The Court receives about 7,000 petitions or "writs of certiorari" each year.
Conferences
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Several meetings with the rest of the court are held for each case appealed to the court; a screening conference to decide whether to hear the case, one to vote on the verdict and at least one to compose the opinion.
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Office Management
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Justices must hire and supervise their law clerks who help screen petitions and do research.
Workflow
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Each justice assigns legal research within his own office and takes on decision-writing tasks in conferences to keep 150 cases moving through the court each year.
Hearing Arguments
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Justices must be prepared to listen to and question presentations made by parties during oral arguments at the Court. Each justice also serves as a "substitute" on a Federal Court of Appeals.
Decisions
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In addition to cases heard as part of the Court, each Justice must accept assignment to compose her share of Court decisions. Justices individually consider and decide another 1,200 Court cases each year.
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References
Resources
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