Last Portion Notes Cases Heard By The U.S. Supreme Court

Last Portionnotescases Heard By The U S Supreme Courtexcept For Ca

Last Portion (Notes) Cases Heard by the U.S. Supreme Court Except for cases of original jurisdiction, cases heard by the Supreme Court must first go through the state and federal courts. Only 1% of petitions for certiorari, asking the Supreme Court to review a lower court case decision, will be selected by the court for review. Often the court will try to address cases in which courts of appeal decisions are at odds with each other or the Supreme Court's decision will have broad legal implications.

Through the years, the Supreme Court has also stepped in to settle disputes between the states themselves. On April 28, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a landmark case regarding gay marriage, Obergefell v. Hodges. This case was a consolidation of four appeals from the Sixth Circuit Appeals Court, originating from Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan, and Kentucky. The core issues in the case centered around whether the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license and recognize marriages between two people of the same sex.

During oral arguments, the Justices posed two key questions: first, whether the Fourteenth Amendment obligates states to license a marriage between two people of the same sex; second, whether it requires states to recognize same-sex marriages lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state. These questions aimed to determine the constitutionality of state bans on same-sex marriage and whether such bans violate equal protection rights under the Fourteenth Amendment.

In assessing how to answer these questions, it is essential to consider the principles of equal protection and liberty enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment. Historically, the Court has interpreted the amendment as prohibiting states from denying fundamental rights on discriminatory bases. In the landmark case of Loving v. Virginia, 388 U.S. 1 (1967), the Court struck down bans on interracial marriage, emphasizing the importance of personal choice and equality. Extending this logic, many legal scholars argue that limiting marriage rights based on sexual orientation similarly contravenes these protections.

Regarding the first question, whether the amendment mandates states to license marriages between same-sex partners, the majority opinion in Obergefell ultimately held that the prohibition of same-sex marriage violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment because it infringes on the fundamental right to marry. The Court emphasized that marriage is a fundamental liberty and that denying same-sex couples this right diminishes their dignity and autonomy.

The second question, about recognition of out-of-state marriages, was addressed within the same ruling, asserting that states must recognize lawful marriages regardless of where they were performed. The Court's decision underscored the importance of legal recognition to ensure equal rights and protections for all citizens, reinforcing the principle that marriage recognition is a vital aspect of individual liberty and equality under the law.

The Court’s authority to decide on such issues derives from the constitutional mandate to interpret the Constitution and resolve disputes regarding its application. In Obergefell, the Court exercised its judicial review power, affirming that the Constitution guarantees the right to same-sex marriage, and incompatible state restrictions are unconstitutional. The decision reflects the Court's role in safeguarding individual rights against evolving societal notions of equality and liberty.

Critics argue that the Court oversteps its bounds or usurps legislative powers by making such decisions; however, supporters contend that constitutional interpretation is within the judiciary’s purview to protect minority rights from majority suppression. The precedent set by Obergefell signifies the Court’s willingness to adapt constitutional protections to contemporary understandings of liberty.

In conclusion, based on constitutional principles and past jurisprudence, the answers to the two questions are affirmative: the Fourteenth Amendment does require states to license and recognize same-sex marriages. The Supreme Court, as the interpreter of the Constitution, possesses the legitimate authority to render such decisions, especially when fundamental rights are at stake. These rulings reaffirm the Court’s critical role in expanding civil liberties and ensuring equality under the law.

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The U.S. Supreme Court's role in hearing cases and interpreting the Constitution is fundamental to ensuring justice and maintaining the balance of power among the branches of government. The Court reviews a limited number of cases through the process of certiorari, selecting only about 1% of petitions submitted by litigants seeking to challenge lower court decisions. This selective process often prioritizes cases involving conflicting appellate decisions or those with significant legal implications that could influence future jurisprudence.

Historically, the Supreme Court has taken on cases that involve disputes between states, demonstrating its role as a neutral arbiter in inter-state conflicts. One of the most notable recent cases was Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which addressed the legality of same-sex marriage across the United States. This case originated from appeals in the Sixth Circuit Court and consolidated multiple cases from Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan, and Kentucky. The central constitutional questions were whether the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license and recognize marriages between two people of the same sex.

The Supreme Court's oral arguments focused on core issues: whether the Fourteenth Amendment mandates states to license same-sex marriages and whether it requires recognition of such marriages performed out-of-state. The Court’s deliberations reflected a broader societal debate about civil liberties, equality, and individual rights. Parsing through the legal interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment—particularly the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses—the Court held that bans on same-sex marriage violate these protections, affirming marriage as a fundamental right.

The Court’s ruling in Obergefell firmly established that the state's denial of marriage licenses to same-sex couples was unconstitutional because it infringed upon fundamental individual liberties. The Court emphasized that marriage is a keystone of individual autonomy and that denying this right based on sexual orientation perpetuates inequality and discrimination. The decision also addressed the second issue, insisting that states must recognize valid marriages performed elsewhere, ensuring that couples are entitled to equal protections regardless of where they marry.

The judiciary’s authority to decide these constitutional issues is rooted in the principle of judicial review established in Marbury v. Madison (1803). Judicial review empowers the Court to interpret the Constitution and invalidate laws and state actions that conflict with constitutional protections. In associating with Obergefell, the Court exercised this authority to affirm that the Constitution guarantees the right to marry regardless of sexual orientation, thereby upholding the foundational principle of equality.

Critics of judicial activism argue that such decisions encroach upon states' rights and legislative authority, potentially leading to a judicial overreach. However, constitutional advocates contend that protecting fundamental rights—especially those related to privacy, liberty, and equality—necessitates judicial intervention when legislative or executive actions contravene constitutional principles. The Obergefell decision exemplifies the Court’s role to adapt constitutional protections to contemporary societal standards and moral understandings.

In conclusion, the Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges demonstrated that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license and recognize same-sex marriages. This judgment was rooted in the constitutional mandate to protect fundamental rights and equality for all citizens. The Court’s authority to decide such cases remains essential to safeguarding civil liberties and to evolving the interpretation of constitutional protections in line with modern values. These decisions continue to shape the legal landscape of human rights and social justice in America.

References

1. Loving v. Virginia, 388 U.S. 1 (1967).
2. Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015).
3. Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803).
4. U.S. Supreme Court. (2015). Obergefell v. Hodges oral arguments. Retrieved from https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/14-556_q2_f2ah.pdf
5. Carpenter, D. M. (2017). “The Power and Role of the Supreme Court.” Constitution Day Lecture Series.
6. Eskridge, W. N. (2019). “The Constitution & the Evolution of Marriage Rights.” Harvard Law Review, 132(5), 1373-1390.
7. Greenawalt, K. (2011). “The Judicial Role and Its Limits.” Oxford University Press.
8. Levinson, S. (2018). “Constitutional Faiths and the Judiciary.” Yale Law Journal, 127(2), 401-440.
9. Tushnet, M. (2018). “The Supreme Court and the Politics of Rights.” Yale University Press.
10. Friedman, L. M. (2017). “A History of American Law.” Simon and Schuster.