History and Workings of the Supreme Court

 

Throughout the history and workings of the supreme court, one thing remains remarkable that Justice Day O'Connor pointed out. "Whether you have a high-priced attorney or you're a prisoner writing from their cell, everyone is afforded the same petition under certiorari." If the president is trying to explain to the court that what he is executing is constitutional or a convicted felon is trying to get their conviction overturned, the court affords the right to be considered to everyone. What I took away from the documentary was not so much about the court itself, but the justices and their lives. It seems that getting appointed to the bench is a humbling experience in itself, but the justices are humble among the other justices as well. Despite their difference of opinions, including matters of life and death, they can still have civil conversations and be friends. Justice Ginsburg said in a Hulu documentary about her life that she would get along quite well with Justice Scalia despite the two of them being at the opposite ends of the political spectrum. They would ask each other about life as if they were the best of friends. In one case Justice Scalia delivered papers for her to sign for a ruling after his side had majority rule in one case, much to her dismay. Seeing that they can potentially work together for decades on end, it makes sense that they would want to get along with each other to avoid making each other's lives a living hell simply because of a difference of opinion.

Just like a typical workday in any industry, the justices days can change on the fly. The justices can go into conference having one view and come out having a totally different view, which can lead to deciding differently on the bench. As they decide each case they leave a legal footprint, that follows them for the rest of their careers. The longer they make a pattern of decisions that lies on the same side of the spectrum the less leniency they have to rule differently.