UNBIASED Politics Unbiased University: Everything You Need to Know About the Supreme Court of the United States
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Mar 30, 2026 A clear crash course on the Supreme Court’s history, structure, and why it gained such power. How justices are chosen, sworn in, and the differences between chief and associate roles. Profiles of each current justice and how background shapes interpretation. Inside look at Court procedures from oral arguments to opinion assignment and what ties or recusals mean.
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No Constitutional Qualifications For Justices
- The Constitution sets no formal qualifications for Supreme Court justices, so presidents can technically nominate anyone.
- In practice nominees almost always have law degrees and judicial or legal experience, but it's a convention, not a constitutional rule.
Expect This Timeline For Supreme Court Nominations
- When a vacancy appears, expect a multi-step process: presidential nomination, a detailed questionnaire, Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, then full Senate vote requiring a simple majority.
- If tied, the Vice President breaks the tie; nominees take constitutional and judicial oaths once confirmed.
Roberts As An Institutional Chief Justice
- Chief Justice John Roberts is an institutionalist who prioritizes the Court's legitimacy and stability.
- Roberts clerked for Justice Rehnquist, served as principal deputy solicitor general, and became Chief Justice in 2005 after practicing and serving on the D.C. Circuit.