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Supreme Court of the United States

Highest court of jurisdiction in the US

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that turn on questions of U.S. constitutional or federal law. It also has original jurisdiction over a narrow range of cases, specifically "all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party." The court holds the power of judicial review: the ability to invalidate a statute for violating a provision of the Constitution. It is also able to strike down presidential directives for violating either the Constitution or statutory law.

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  • 1789The Supreme Court's composition and procedures were established by the 1st Congress through the Judiciary Act.
  • September 26, 1789All six initial justices of the Supreme Court were confirmed by the Senate.
  • February 2, 1790The Supreme Court held its inaugural session at the Royal Exchange in New York City.
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