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How many associate justices are on the U.S. Supreme Court?
Eight.28 USC § 1, enacted by Congress, states: "The Supreme Court of the United States shall consist of a Chief Justice of the United States and eight associate justices, any six of whom shall constitute a quorum."
What is the name of the female US Supreme Court justice who retired in 2006?
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, whom President Reagan appointed to the US Supreme Court in 1981, retired in 2006 to spend time with her husband, Jay, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. John Jay O'Connor died in November 2009.
Who succeeded Justice Lewis Powell on the US Supreme Court?
Justice Lewis F. Powell was succeed by incumbent Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, whom President Reagan nominated to the Court in 1988. Powell was preceded by Justice Hugo Black.
Which US Supreme Court justices are not married?
Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan are the only unmarried justices on the current Court (as of September 23, 2010). Justice David Souter, whom Sotomayor succeeded on the bench in 2009, was also unmarried.
Does constitutional law take precedence over case law when a State constitutional amendment conflicts with the US Constitution?
The US Constitution takes precedence over state constitutions when there are conflicts between amendments, per the Sixth Amendment Supremacy Clause. The US Supreme Court can't nullify a state constitutional amendment unless it has an opportunity to grant certiorari to a case challenging the state constitution, however. Case law relevant to conflicts between state and federal constitutional conflicts would invariably support the federal constitution. If the State constitutional amendment isn't ruled unconstitutional by the State supreme court, the US Supreme Court would overturn the amendment (if it truly represents a constitutional conflict). In one recent example, New Jersey voters ratified an amendment to their state constitution allowing them the prerogative to recall Congressmen with whom they were dissatisfied. The New Jersey amendment is unconstitutional under the US Constitution, but the Supreme Court can't do anything about it until voters attempt to recall a Senator or Representative and someone with standing (the Senator or Representative himself) files suit contesting the action. The case would have to go through the New Jersey court system and the NJ Supreme Court decision appealed to the US Supreme Court before the federal court could make a determination. The process could take several years, or the amendment could remain part of the NJ constitution indefinitely, if it's never acted upon.
