Why is the Supreme Court case important?
Asked by: Gust Batz | Last update: February 10, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (62 votes)
Supreme Court cases are important because they are the final word on the U.S. Constitution, interpreting laws, protecting civil rights, defining federal power, and setting legal precedents that affect all Americans, shaping national policy, and ensuring equal justice by checking other government branches. These decisions, especially landmark ones, establish rules for future cases, clarify constitutional ambiguities, and resolve major national disagreements, impacting society, politics, and economics for decades.
Why are Supreme Court cases important?
The U.S. Supreme Court
The Court decides if a law or government action violates the Constitution. This is known as judicial review and enables the Court to invalidate both federal and state laws when they conflict with the Constitution.
Which Supreme Court case was the most important?
Marbury v. Madison, arguably the most important case in Supreme Court history, was the first U.S. Supreme Court case to apply the principle of "judicial review" -- the power of federal courts to void acts of Congress in conflict with the Constitution.
What is the significance of the Supreme Court?
The U.S. Supreme Court acts as the protector and interpreter of the Constitution. The nine Supreme Court justices remain the final arbiters of the law, charged with ensuring the American people receive the promise of equal justice under the law.
What are some important Supreme Court cases?
Landmark United States Supreme Court Cases
- Marbury v. Madison (1803) ...
- McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) ...
- Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) ...
- Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) ...
- Schenck v. United States (1919) ...
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954) ...
- Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) ...
- Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Why the Supreme Court Is Relevant | Marbury v. Madison
What is the biggest case of the Supreme Court?
(Writ Petition (Civil) 135 of 1970), also known as the Kesavananda Bharati judgement, was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of India that outlined the basic structure doctrine of the Indian Constitution. The case is also known as the Fundamental Rights Case.
What is the Supreme Court famous for?
The best-known power of the Supreme Court is judicial review, or the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution, is not found within the text of the Constitution itself. The Court established this doctrine in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803).
How does the Supreme Court impact our lives?
The Supreme Court is the highest court in our nation. It's charged with ensuring equal justice under the law, as well as upholding rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The court's decisions shape how our rights are interpreted over the course of generations, and in some cases even centuries.
What is the main focus of the Supreme Court?
As the final arbiter of the law, the Court is charged with ensuring the American people the promise of equal justice under law and, thereby, also functions as guardian and interpreter of the Constitution.
What is a famous Supreme Court case and summarize its significance?
In Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), the Supreme Court sanctioned segregation by upholding the doctrine of "separate but equal." The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People disagreed with this ruling, challenging the constitutionality of segregation in the Topeka, Kansas, school system.
What is considered the worst Supreme Court case ever?
While subjective, Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) is widely considered the worst Supreme Court case ever for denying Black people citizenship, fueling slavery, and pushing the nation toward Civil War, with other notorious decisions including Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) (sanctioning segregation) and Korematsu v. United States (1944) (upholding Japanese internment). More recent controversial rulings often cited include Citizens United v. FEC (2010) (campaign finance) and Kelo v. New London (2005) (eminent domain).
What is the biggest case in U.S. history?
Introduction. Myra Clark Gaines' 19th century fight over an enormous inheritance is still the longest-running civil lawsuit in American history, taking over 60 years to finally find some kind of resolution. The United States Supreme Court called her case "the most remarkable in the records."
Why is Marbury v. Madison so important?
The significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803) is that it established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional, thus creating a coequal judicial branch and defining its role as the chief interpreter of the Constitution. Chief Justice John Marshall's decision cleverly asserted the Court's power by striking down part of the Judiciary Act of 1789, a law that expanded the Court's jurisdiction, making it a crucial check on the legislative and executive powers.
Do Supreme Court decisions affect all states?
Mandatory Authority
All courts, federal and state, are bound by the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court on U.S. Constitutional and other issues of federal law. In the federal courts, circuit courts tend to follow decisions previously issued within that circuit.
Which court is most powerful?
The Supreme Court of India is the supreme judicial authority and the highest court of India. It is the highest appellate court for all civil and criminal cases in India. The court is led by the Chief Justice of India and has a maximum sanctioned strength of 33 judges excluding the chief justice.
Why is the Supreme Court the most important?
The U.S. Supreme court hears cases that challenge the constitution, interprets legislation, protects civil rights, deals with disputes between states, and presides over cases that involve treaties. One of the most important powers of the Supreme court is Judicial Review.
How to explain Supreme Court to kids?
The Supreme Court is often called “the highest Court in the land” because it makes decisions all other courts in the country must follow. The Courtroom is where the Supreme Court Justices sit to hear oral arguments and announce their decisions. Justices. These arguments help the Justices make their decisions.
Can anything override the Supreme Court?
When the Supreme Court rules on a constitutional issue, that judgment is virtually final; its decisions can be altered only by the rarely used procedure of constitutional amendment or by a new ruling of the Court.
What is the most impactful Supreme Court case?
In 1954, the Supreme Court declared in Brown v. Board of Education that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The decision itself was transformative, and equally as remarkable is the fact that it was unanimous.
What power does the Supreme Court actually have?
In 1803, the court asserted itself the power of judicial review, the ability to invalidate a statute for violating a provision of the Constitution. It is also able to strike down presidential directives for violating either the Constitution or statutory law.
How can a Supreme Court decision affect you?
When the Supreme Court makes a decision, it's not just abstract legal theory—it's something that can directly impact your daily life. From healthcare and workplace rights to privacy and education, these decisions shape the rules we all live by.
What are 5 fun facts about the Supreme Court?
Taft was the only president to also serve as a Supreme Court justice. Justice Byron (“Whizzer”) White is the only justice to be in the College Football Hall of Fame. The youngest Supreme Court appointee was Joseph Story (32). The oldest sitting justice was Oliver Wendell Holmes, who served until he was 90.
What is the most powerful court in the USA?
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the American judicial system, and has the power to decide appeals on all cases brought in federal court or those brought in state court but dealing with federal law.
What was the Supreme Court's original purpose?
Foreign investors feared the mob—the voters—would keep Congress, state legislators, and state courts from ever enforcing commitments to foreign interests. The framers remedied this problem by creating the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court was established through Article III of the Constitution.