50What is one part of the judicial branch?
- Supreme Court
- Federal Courts
The judicial branch is made up of the courts. The Supreme Court is at the top, and lower federal courts hear cases across the country. Memory hook: judicial sounds like "judge."
Lesson 5 · 12 min
The Courts: The Judicial Branch
Learn what federal courts do, how the Supreme Court works, and why Supreme Court justices serve for life.
In this lesson you will learn
- Explain what the judicial branch does.
- Name the highest court and the number of seats on it.
- Explain how many justices are needed to decide a case.
- Explain why Supreme Court justices serve for life, and where to check the name of the Chief Justice.
What the courts do
The judicial branch is the system of federal courts. Its main parts are the Supreme Court and the other federal courts, such as district courts and courts of appeals.
The courts review laws and explain what laws mean. They also resolve disputes, which means they settle disagreements about the law between people, businesses, or governments.
One very important job is deciding if a law goes against the Constitution. If it does, the court can say the law is unconstitutional, and the law cannot be used. This power is called judicial review, and it is a check on Congress and the President.
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. Its decisions are final for all other courts in the country. It meets in Washington, D.C.
The Supreme Court has nine seats: one Chief Justice and eight associate justices. Congress sets this number by law, and it has been nine since 1869. The 2008 test asks how many justices there are; USCIS lists that answer on its test updates page.
The justices vote to decide a case. Usually five justices, a majority (more than half) of nine, are needed to decide a case.
Justices serve for life
The President appoints Supreme Court justices, and the Senate must approve them. After that, a justice serves for life, or until he or she retires.
Justices do not run in elections and do not worry about losing their jobs. This helps them be independent of politics. They can decide cases based on the law, with less outside political pressure.
Other federal judges also have lifetime appointments. A federal judge can be removed only through impeachment by Congress, which is very rare.
The Chief Justice
The Chief Justice of the United States leads the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice runs the meetings of the Court and also leads the Senate trial if a President is impeached.
The person in this job changes over time. Before your interview, check the USCIS test updates page (https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates) for the current name of the Chief Justice.
Important words
- Judicial branch
- The part of government made up of the courts. It explains the laws.
- Supreme Court
- The highest court in the United States.
- Justice
- A judge on the Supreme Court.
- Dispute
- A disagreement between people or groups.
- Unconstitutional
- Against the Constitution. A court can stop such a law.
- Majority
- More than half. Five of nine justices is a majority.
- Lifetime appointment
- A job that lasts until the person retires, dies, or is removed.
Recap
- The judicial branch reviews laws, explains laws, resolves disputes, and decides if a law goes against the Constitution.
- The Supreme Court is the highest court. It has nine seats, and usually five justices are needed to decide a case.
- Justices serve for life so they can be independent of politics.
- Check the USCIS test updates page for the name of the Chief Justice.
Official questions in this lesson
2025 test: 8 official questions
51What does the judicial branch do?
- Reviews laws
- Explains laws
- Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law
- Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution
Courts hear cases and decide what laws mean. They settle disagreements about the law. They can also decide that a law goes against the Constitution, and then the law cannot be used. This power is called judicial review.
52What is the highest court in the United States?
- Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. It meets in Washington, D.C. Its decisions are final, and all other courts must follow them.
53How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
- Nine (9)
The Supreme Court has nine seats: one Chief Justice and eight other justices. Congress sets this number by law, not the Constitution. It has been nine since 1869.
54How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
- Five (5)
A case is decided by a majority, which means more than half. More than half of nine justices is five. That is why you hear about "5 to 4" decisions.
55How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
- (For) life
- Lifetime appointment
- (Until) retirement
Supreme Court justices have no set term and no age limit. They can serve until they retire or die. Congress can remove a justice only through impeachment, which is very rare.
56Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
- To be independent (of politics)
- To limit outside (political) influence
Justices never have to run for election or worry about losing their job. So they can decide cases based on the law, not on what is popular. The Constitution also says their pay cannot be cut while they serve.
57Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
- Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Chief Justice of the United States.
Current answer listed by USCIS: John Roberts / John G. Roberts, Jr. / Roberts
From the USCIS test updates page (updated September 18, 2025), checked October 31, 2026. Answer with the official serving on your interview day: check USCIS.
The Chief Justice leads the Supreme Court. This answer changes when a new Chief Justice is appointed. Check the current name on the USCIS test updates page (uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates) before your interview.
2008 test: 4 official questions
37What does the judicial branch do?
- reviews laws
- explains laws
- resolves disputes (disagreements)
- decides if a law goes against the Constitution
The judicial branch is made up of the federal courts. Judges explain what laws mean, settle disagreements, and decide if a law goes against the Constitution. The Supreme Court is the highest court in this branch.
38What is the highest court in the United States?
- the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. Its decisions are final, and all other courts must follow them. The Supreme Court building is in Washington, D.C.
39How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
- Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the number of justices on the Supreme Court.
Current answer listed by USCIS: nine (9)
From the USCIS test updates page (updated September 18, 2025), checked October 31, 2026. Answer with the official serving on your interview day: check USCIS.
Congress sets the number of Supreme Court justices by law, so the answer can change. It has been nine since 1869, but always check the USCIS test updates page (uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates) before your interview.
40Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
- Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Chief Justice of the United States.
Current answer listed by USCIS: John Roberts / John G. Roberts, Jr.
From the USCIS test updates page (updated September 18, 2025), checked October 31, 2026. Answer with the official serving on your interview day: check USCIS.
This answer can change when a new Chief Justice is appointed. Before your interview, check the USCIS test updates page (uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates) for the current name. The Chief Justice leads the Supreme Court.
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Lesson text is original study material based on the USCIS 2025 Civics Test Study Guide topics. Editorial status: draft, pending expert review.