Supreme Court Reflection

The Supreme Court of the United States is the most powerful court in the world. 

As I learned from this documentary about the Supreme Court, I first started discovering information about the Supreme Court. I didn’t realize just how powerful it really is. It’s not just a group of judges making decisions—it’s the most influential judicial body in the world. And what gives it that power isn’t just the Constitution—it’s the trust of the American people.

The Court’s main job is to interpret the U.S. Constitution, which is over 200 years old. That means they’re constantly applying old principles to new challenges. It’s a delicate balance, and it’s why being appointed to the Supreme Court is such a rare honor—almost like being struck by lightning.

Dred Scott, a Missouri Slave, claimed
His freedom under the Congress.

One case that really highlights the Court’s impact is Dred Scott v. Sandford. A Missouri slave claimed his freedom under congressional law, and the decision had lasting consequences. It helped lead to the 14th Amendment, often called the second Bill of Rights, which reshaped civil rights in America.

The Supreme Court is a coequal branch of government, standing alongside Congress and the President. Every year, it receives around 7,000 cases—but only accepts about 100. Still, every case gets the same level of attention, no matter who submits it. That kind of fairness is part of what makes the Court so respected.

New justices often take years to adjust to the Court’s environment. It’s intense, high-pressure, and deeply rooted in tradition. But through it all, the Court’s strength remains grounded in public faith.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court’s power isn’t just in its rulings—it’s in the trust we place in it to protect our rights and uphold justice. That trust is what keeps the system working. To me, this is what makes it so powerful, that it is the trust not the rulings. 

AI Disclosure: After taking notes while watching the Supreme Court video, I used Microsoft CoPilot to smooth the text and format it in a readable way. I then edited the AI-generated text. I added photos and captions. I also broke up the text with subheadings. I expanded on the AI-generated text by adding some of my personal thoughts and opinions