Why Are There 9 Supreme Court Justices? A Historical and Constitutional Explanation

The number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court—nine—is not set by the Constitution, but it has become one of the most recognizable features of the American judicial system. This number is the result of evolving legislation, political compromise, and judicial necessity. Understanding why there are nine justices today requires a look back at early…

Habeas Corpus: The Ancient Right That Protects Us All

Imagine one day waking up to find the government removing you from your home and locking you away without providing a reason. No charges. No trial. No phone call. Just silence. You ask to speak to a judge, to see a lawyer—but no one answers. Days pass. Then weeks. Then months. This kind of story…

Fred Korematsu: A Citizen Who Refused to Be Silenced

Fred Korematsu didn’t plan to become a civil rights icon. He was a quiet, unassuming welder from Oakland, California—someone who loved jazz, cared about his family, and believed in the promise of the American dream. But in 1942, when the government told him that his Japanese ancestry made him a threat, Fred made a choice…

Federal Budget Glossary

Navigating the complexities of the federal budget can be challenging, especially with the specialized terminology used in discussions and documents. To assist in demystifying these terms, Civics for Life offers a comprehensive Federal Budget Glossary. This resource is designed to provide clear and concise definitions of key budget-related terms, making the intricacies of federal budgeting…

Balancing Power: The U.S. Checks and Balances System

The United States’ system of checks and balances is a cornerstone of its constitutional democracy, designed to ensure that no single branch of government becomes too powerful. Rooted in Enlightenment philosophy and shaped by thinkers like Montesquieu, this system was carefully crafted by the Founding Fathers to protect individual freedoms and maintain a fair distribution…

October 2, 1967: Thurgood Marshall’s Supreme Court Legacy Begins

On October 2, 1967, Thurgood Marshall made history by becoming the first African American Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. His appointment by President Lyndon B. Johnson was a significant milestone in the nation’s ongoing struggle for racial equality. Marshall’s long career as a civil rights attorney, combined with his profound influence on…

Judicial Branch Overview

Article III of the US Constitution establishes the judicial branch. However, it only creates the Supreme Court and allows Congress to establish other courts that might be needed. One of the first acts of the Senate was the Federal Judiciary Act (1789), establishing the Judiciary that we know it today. This act included describing the…

Federal Judicial System

The judicial branch’s role is to interpret the laws, ensure that the laws are fairly enforced, and provide a means for resolving disputes between private parties or determining the guilt or innocence of individuals accused of crimes. The federal court system, created by Article III of the U.S. Constitution, includes the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts…

Role of Municipal Courts

City courts, also known as municipal courts, are lower-level courts that have jurisdiction over a specific city or municipality. They typically hear cases involving local ordinance violations, such as traffic violations, minor criminal offenses, and civil disputes that arise within the city. Some of the key responsibilities of city courts include: The specific powers and…

Dual Court System

The dual court system refers to the coexistence of two separate court systems in the United States: the federal and state court systems. While the federal court system has jurisdiction over cases that involve federal law, the state court system has jurisdiction over cases that involve state law. Most legal disputes in the U.S. arise…