About the Author
David L. Hudson Jr. is an attorney-author who works as First Amendment Scholar for the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University. He writes regularly on the Supreme Court, as a contributing editor to the American Bar Association’s Preview of U.S. Supreme Court Cases. He also teaches several classes at the Nashville School of Law, an introduction to law class at Middle Tennessee State University, and a First Amendment class at Vanderbilt Law School. He is the author of more than 16 books, including The Rehnquist Court: Understanding Its Impact and Legacy (Praeger, 2006). He is a graduate of Duke University and Vanderbilt Law School.
Also from Visible Ink Press
The Handy Anatomy Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-190-9
The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents), ISBN 978-1-57859-110-7
The Handy Biology Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-150-3
The Handy Geography Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-062-9
The Handy Geology Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-156-5
The Handy History Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-170-1
The Handy Math Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-171-8
The Handy Ocean Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-063-6
The Handy Physics Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-058-2
The Handy Politics Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-139-8
The Handy Presidents Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-167-1
The Handy Religion Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-125-1
The Handy Science Answer Book®, ISBN 978-1-57859-140-4
The Handy Sports Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-075-9
The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book, ISBN 978-1-57859-196-1
The Handy Weather Answer Book®, ISBN 978-0-7876-1034-0
Please visit us at visibleink.com.
Copyright 2008 by Visible Ink Press®
This publication is a creative work fully protected by all applicable copyright laws, as well as by misappropriation, trade secret, unfair competition, and other applicable laws.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine or newspaper.
All rights to this publication will be vigorously defended.
Visible Ink Press®
43311 Joy Road #414
Canton, MI 48187-2075
Visible Ink Press is a registered trademark of Visible Ink Press LLC.
Most Visible Ink Press books are available at special quantity discounts when purchased in bulk by corporations, organizations, or groups. Customized printings, special imprints, messages, and excerpts can be produced to meet your needs. For more information, contact Special Markets Director, Visible Ink Press, at www.visibleink.com or (734) 667-3211.
Art Director: Mary Claire Krzewinski
Typesetting: The Graphix Group
ISBN-13: 978-1-57859-196-1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for.
Front cover images of Supreme Court Building courtesy of iStockPhoto;
Dred Scott case and pro-choice rally courtesy of AP Images.
Back cover images of children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance courtesy of Mark Wilson/Getty and Fuller Court courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Printed in the United States of America
All rights reserved
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Rich Brust, Deb Weiss, Larry Baker,
Chuck Williams, Tony Mauro, my wife, and my parents
Contents
ORIGINS OF THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM
SUPREME COURT RULES, PRACTICES, AND TRADITIONS
THE JAY, RUTLEDGE, AND ELLSWORTH COURTS (1789–1800)
THE REHNQUIST COURT (1986–2005)
THE ROBERTS COURT (2005–PRESENT)
JUSTICES OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Introduction
Abortion, affirmative action, capital punishment, medicinal usage of marijuana, religious freedom, treatment of captives during the War on Terror, and even a presidential election. All these pressing societal issues have been examined by a