Are US Supreme Court decisions final?

Answer 1

The Supreme Court's decisions are always final unless they agree to rehear a case, which rarely happens. The Supreme Court is the final authority on federal and constitutional law in the United States; there is no further avenue of appeal.

There are only two ways in which a Supreme Court decision may be overturned: 1) the Court may change its own decisions; 2) Congress and the states may effectively overrule a decision by constitutional amendment. In the case of nullified Federal Laws, Congress may rewrite the law to comply with constitutional requirements.

For more information, see Related Questions, below.

Answer 2

Yes, they are supposed to be. The Supreme Court is the ultimate arbiter of federal law and the Constitution. Their rulings are intended to carry the force of law, and set binding precedents for inferior courts.

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has no means or authority to enforce its decisions, and must rely on the Executive and Legislative branches to ensure orders are carried out. Sometimes the other branches deliberately ignore rulings, drag their feet, or allow decisions to be applied selectively.

This was the case in the 1950s and early 60s, when the Supreme Court ruled segregation and racial discrimination unconstitutional. Although Brown v. Board of Education (segregation in public schools) was decided in 1954, and Gayle v. Browder(segregation on intrastate buses) in 1956, the federal government didn't make a concerted effort to support civil rights until Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (a decade after Brown).

Supreme Court decisions are absolutely binding on the lower courts, but occasionally judges neglect the doctrine of stare decisis (let the decision stand). This usually results in the Supreme Court revisiting an older ruling in the context of a new case. Sometimes they agree with the lower court's decision (after a good scolding), and sometimes they disagree, reversing the lower court decision (after a good scolding).

The Supreme Court has more control over its own (Judicial) branch of government than over the other two branches.

Answer 3

Yes. Since the Supreme Court rules only on matters of constitutionality, and is the highest court in the land, ALL states and territories are bound by its decisions.