this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2023
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[–] Methylman@lemmy.world 153 points 1 year ago (3 children)

It's right on the courts' info page

https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/about

Although the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, it permits Congress to decide how to organize it. Congress first exercised this power in the Judiciary Act of 1789. This Act created a Supreme Court with six justices.

[–] flipht@kbin.social 52 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I mean, these people haven't even read the laws they're supposed to be deciding cases on. You expect him to read his own website too? The privilege.

/s

[–] chaogomu@kbin.social 50 points 1 year ago

You used sarcasm. Samuel Alito might not have read actual law in years. He mostly writes about the current manufactured outrage from Fox News, and tries to shoehorn that into an opinion. He's gone off-topic a few times in recent years, trying to shove culture war bullshit into cases where they're only tangentially related.

It's called Fox News Brain. Your racist uncle and a sitting Justice of the Supreme Court both have it.

[–] Madison420@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The problem is they can also decide that isn't what that means, it's hilariously stupid to be able to do it but they can.

[–] reverendsteveii@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

corrupt scotus justices: we're strict constitutionalists. if it says it in the constitution, it's the law. if it doesn't say it in the constitution, it's not the law

the constitution: ...well-organized militia...

corrupt scotus justices: no not like that

the constitution: ...equal protection under the law...

corrupt scotus justices: no not like that

the constitution: ...against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause...

corrupt scotus justices: no not like that

the constitution: slavery is legal

corrupt scotus justices: that's more what we were thinking....

[–] JustZ@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What do you mean they haven't read the laws?

I think all of them were all good law students, law review editors, judicial clerks, and judges for some time, before being appointed. It's all law practice, it's all reading law. There can't be a fundamental concept of law they aren't well familiar with.

[–] flipht@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I say that because they clearly don't give a shit, or they'd avoid even the appearance of impropriety.

If they can't even be bothered to not do obvious stuff with conflict of interest/money/cases before them, why would they be putting in any actual work? Especially the ones who are there for prestige alone, their clerks are doing their reading and writing for them.

Alito and Thomas in particular have said things recently and historically that indicate they're just phoning it in.

[–] TWeaK@lemm.ee 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Pretty much all authority the Supreme Court has is power it has given itself. It's long overdue being reigned in.

[–] Methylman@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Indeed, I posted this on another thread about the court

Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Smith Adams, September 11, 1804, "but the opinion [Marbury v Madison] which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional, and what not, not only for themselves in their own sphere of action, but for the legislature & executive also in their spheres, would make the judiciary a despotic branch."

[–] reverendsteveii@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

we were worried that republicans were gonna make the president a dictator appointed exclusively by republicans, and while we were fighting against that they made scotus a dictator appointed exclusively by republicans

[–] JustZ@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

That had to do with size of the court.

Constitution says it's a lifetime appointment, though.

Can have all the rules you want, which the justices are free to ignore because the Constitution says it's a lifetime seat.

[–] mriguy@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

You just have to be creative. Pass a law saying holding a Supreme Court seat for more than 20 years is a capital crime.

[–] APassenger@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That would be unconstitutional and ruled that way, too. The law cannot take away a thing guaranteed by the Constitution (the lifetime appointment).

There would need to be an impeachment or amendment. Or court-packing.

[–] mriguy@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It would be evil and unethical, yes, but not unconstitutional. They would still be justices right up until their execution, so it’s still a lifetime appointment.

[–] APassenger@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

It could still run up against tue 8th Amendment, more specifically the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

Edit to add: being convicted of a capital crime does not guarantee a death sentence. Anything less than death still bumps into a Constitutional issue.

Coming and going, there's a likely Constituional challenge. An amendment would almost be easier.

[–] mriguy@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ah, but the Supreme Court has repeatedly found that execution is not in and of itself cruel and unusual punishment, as long as you follow procedures and don’t apply it arbitrarily.

“ In Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153 (1976), the Court refused to expand Furman. The Court held the death penalty was not per se unconstitutional as it could serve the social purposes of retribution and deterrence.” (From https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/death_penalty#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20has%20ruled,it%20must%20be%20carried%20out.)

In this case, deterring justices from staying on the bench forever. :-)

If, however, the passage of this law made SCOTUS decide the throw precedent to the wind (and this is the court to do it) and decide that the death penalty WAS in fact unconstitutional, I’d still take it as a win

[–] APassenger@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I'm not saying a death penalty of any kind is cruel or unusual. I'm saying it would be for this.

Give this a look?

Most notably:

"To measure proportionality, the court must look at several factors. These factors include:

  • The severity of the offense
  • The harshness of the penalty
  • The sentences imposed on others within the same jurisdiction
  • The sentences imposed on others in different jurisdictions."

I think you think I'm saying one thing, when I'm communicating something less superficial. I'm not saying there cannot be a death penalty.

I'm saying if you want that for SCOTUS, it needs to meet the above criteria.

[–] reverendsteveii@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

death penalty isn't cruel or unusual. scotus said so themselves. they even said a punishment could be cruel as long as it isn't unusual.

[–] JustZ@lemmy.world -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well obviously you're not a serious person.

[–] mriguy@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I’m a serious enough person (but barely enough). That wasn’t a serious suggestion though.

[–] JustZ@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Sorry friend I don't know you as a person. You're right, your suggestion wasn't serious.

[–] TheCraiggers@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

And president terms are 4 years. Doesn't stop impeachment though.

[–] JustZ@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Yes, Supreme Court justices cna be impeached. I think it has happened one time?