What are the Constitutional requirements for the US Supreme Court?

Answer 1

Under the assumption that you are inquiring as to what are the requirements to serve on the Supreme Court I have provided an answer. Other than the fact that the supreme court justice must be appointed by the president, There are in fact None! Under article II (Presidential Powers) clause 2 (advice and consent) of the United States Constitution the President has been given the Power to appoint Supreme Court Judges. The text reads as follows: He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments. There are no prior qualifications necessary to serve on the Supreme Court. There are no restriction on age, race, or sex. You do not have to be a member of a state bar, or even a lawyer for that matter.

For more information on qualifications of Supreme Court Justices, see Related Links, below.

Answer 2

The US Supreme Court's role in government is described in Article III (primarily in Section 2) of the Constitution, and implied by authority not specifically assigned to another branch of government that would logically be considered judicial in nature. Congress has also assigned certain responsibilities to the Court by using the Legislative branch's constitutional authority; however, these would not be considered constitutional responsibilities.

Most cases in which the US Supreme Court is granted original (trial) jurisdiction are initiated in US District Court. The Supreme Court has original and exclusive jurisdiction over disputes between the states (only the Supreme Court can adjudicate those issues).

Note: The Eleventh Amendment revoked the Court's ability to hear suits filed against states, except when the state waives its sovereign immunity.

Article III

Section 1.

The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.

Section 2.

The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to controversies to which the United States shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more states;--between a state and citizens of another state;--between citizens of different states;--between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects.

In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.

The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have directed.

Section 3.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.

For more information, see Related Questions, below.