Olivier Poquet

Review of Supreme Court of the United St...

The Supreme Court of the United States is the buil...

The Supreme Court of the United States is the building that serves as the seat of the court of last resort: it has jurisdiction over all cases under the Constitution or laws of the United States and treaties that members of Congress have concluded. Its most important role is to decide whether the laws of the United States or those of the various states are in conformity with the Constitution. It may also deal with legal matters involving a Union State, a State or a foreign diplomat.

The building was built in 1935 and is located right next to the Capitol, east side. Prior to its construction, which was completed in 1949, the Court sat in the former Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill.

The entrances of the building are on either side of the main staircase. The main entrance is the north / left door. The building is closed on weekends and holidays.

It is possible to visit the Supreme Court, however no guided tour is offered. Some sessions of the Supreme Court are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. A calendar of the different sessions is visible on the official website. 30-minute lectures are also offered to better understand the American judicial system, the history and architecture of the building. The lectures are held every hour from 9:30 to 15:30 when the Court is not sitting. When it sits, the conferences begin only after its adjournment.