What’s the main power of the Supreme Court? Suppose the Supreme Court justices vote on a decision in Franklin v. United States.
The chief justice votes with three other justices in favor of Franklin. Who will write the opinion of the court? Why did the framers of the Constitution want Supreme Court justices appointed for life?
The main power of the Supreme Court is the power of judicial review. Only the Supreme Court can interpret the Constitution. Its interpretations become law since the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land.
The opinion will be written by one of the justices who voted with the majority.
The framers felt that members of the federal judicial branch should be free to voice legal opinions. That freedom would be lacking if the justices feared losing their jobs for rendering unpopular decisions.
