Our Supreme Court consists of nine Justices. It’s been nine since 1869. A congressional act, signed by the president, can alter that number.
Paul G. Summers
Guest Columnist
- Paul G. Summers, a lawyer, is a former appellate and senior judge, district attorney general, and the attorney general of Tennessee.
Editor’s note: This is a regular feature on issues related to the Constitution and civics education written by Paul G. Summers, retired judge and state attorney general.
We continue our study with Article III.
When I was Tennessee’s attorney general, I had the honor to argue on behalf of my State in the U.S. Supreme Court. For a trial lawyer, that’s equivalent to a baseball player’s pitching two innings in the World Series. I will always remember.
The justices comprise a “hot court,” in lawyers’ terms, meaning they know all about your case and readily ask questions. Some questions are to get answers; some attempt to persuade other justices of what’s right or wrong as to their theories.
Article III, the Judicial Branch, is the third, separate and equal branch of our United States Government.