What is it?
Article III is the judicial branch, or Supreme Court. The main function of the Judicial branch is to interpret laws.
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is made up of 9 judges, also known as justices. These justices do not have a limit on how long they serve, or how old they have to be. The president appoints the judges, but congress must approve the appointments.
The Chief Justice
The Chief Justice is the head of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice is the court's spokes system. He moderates debate, sets the agenda, and gives the presidential oath of office. Currently, the Chief Justice is John Roberts. He was nominated by George W. Bush.
The Function of The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court's main focus is to be the nation's final court of approval. It hears the cases that have been tried and appealed in lower federal and state courts. In order for a decision to win, it must rest on a majority vote of at least 5 justices. A justice that has voted against the majority may submit a dissenting opinion that explains their reasons. The Supreme Court is the ultimate authority, so therefore, they can reverse their own past decisions.
Judicial Review
The most important power of the supreme court is to decide what the constitution means. In the case Marbury Vs. Madison (1803) the court asserted the right to declare whether acts of the president or laws passed by congress are "unconstitutional" or not allowed under the constitution.