By Tim Arakelian

QuestionThe judicial branch is designed to be more

independent of public opinion than are legislative branch or the executive branch. Yet, the Supreme Court rarely deviates too far too long from the prevalent public opinion.Describe in two ways that the Supreme Court is

insulated from the public.Explain how two factors work to keep the United

States Supreme Court from deviating too far from the public opinion.

Describe in two ways that the Supreme Court is insulated from the public.

Appointed and not electedJustices don’t have to worry about the pressures

of being re-electedServe Life TermsCourt’s ability to set its own agenda

Court has the ability to control what it does and how it spends its time on different rulings

Salaries can’t be reducedPublic has limited access to court

proceedings

Explain how two factors work to keep the United States Supreme Court from deviating too far from the public opinion.

Reliance on other public officials to execute decisions

Supreme court can be overruled with new laws and amendments made by congress

Concern for reputation of the justice or Supreme Court itself

Potential for impeachment of justicesCongressional control of the Supreme Court

appellate (Appeal court decisions) jurisdiction and/or changing the number of court justices on the Court