U.S. Supreme Court, Washington D.C.

The Supreme Court is "the highest law of the land" in the United States. The Courts are the branch of government which interpret the laws passed by by both houses of Congress and signed into law by the President and determine whether the laws are valid or invalid. The high Court consists of 9 Justices, who hear only those cases which are selected by the Court as presenting an issue that the lower courts are divided upon, or one that the Court deems of great Constitutional importance. Very few cases, of those sent to this Court are actually heard by the Court. The building itself is typical DC architecture, but the courtroom is the most solemn and imposing in the nation.

4 more images

The US Supreme Court is an awesome institution and, like many great things, has a simple basis. Justices are appointed by the President but must be confirmed by the Senate. Qualifications for this high office: none. In the constitution, there is no age limit, no citizenship requirement, no professional or educational requirement. Amazing to me. Also, once appointed the Justice may serve for life, the only limitation on the time of service is the vague “during good behavior,” which is not defined.
I was amazed to learn that prior to 1935, the court had sat in various locations with no permanent home. The current building was completed that year after former President William Howard Taft persuaded Congress to authorize construction of a permanent home.
The building seems older I think because it is of classic Corinthian style which harmonizes it with nearby Congressional buildings. It has some lovely and interesting features, not the least of which is the inscription on the front façade of the motto: “Equal Justice Under Law” and the rear façade’s “Justice, the Guardian of Liberty.” The front steps are bracketed by two impressive statues, a femJusale figure, “Contemplation of Justice,” on the left and a male figure, “Authority of Law,” on the right. Inside are a number of nice displays and statues and twin 5 story cantilevered spiral staircases.
I did not know that the court, while in session, is open to the public. At these times there are two lines for the public. One line allows seating on a first come, first served basis and is limited to about 150 people. The other line is called the “3 minute line” and allows visitors to be seated on the back row for 3 minutes. While this limits public access, it does permit the public to see its highest court at work. When the court is not in session, there are lectures on the court, its history and its workings in the courtroom. These are every hour on the half hour and last about 30 minutes. Ours was well worth it. Of course, admission is free.

2 more images

As you approach the U.S Supreme Court Building, look up. You will see near the top of the building a row of relief sculptures of the great law givers of our world's history. Each one of them is generally facing toward the one in the middle who is facing forward. This one in the center is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments! Today, the body which meets in this building and has ultimate jurisdiction over the most momentous cases before our judicial system has decided that it is against the law to display those same Ten Commandments in any government-owned location but the people who founded this country and made it so great appropriately regarded the Ten Commandments as the centerpiece of the entire legal system of this nation.
In response to the "comment" of VT member, MrWeisberg, the following is a verbatim quote from http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky2/constitution9.htm, "On the east front of the building is a sculpture group by Herman A. McNeil and the marble figures represent great lawgivers, Moses, Confucius, and Solon, flanked by symbolic groups representing Means of Enforcing the Law, Tempering Justice with Mercy, Carrying on of Civilization and Settlement of Disputes Between States. The Architrave bears the legend: "Justice the Guardian of Liberty."
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the huge oak doors through which you enter also have the Ten Commandments engraved on the lower portion of each door.
As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see on the wall, right above where the Supreme Court justices sit, a display of the Ten Commandments.

4 more images

The Supreme Court did not get a permanent home in Washington DC until 1935. It had been housed in the New York Merchant's Exchange Building, Philadelphia's Independence Hall, the basement of the Capitol building, the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the Capitol, and the Old Senate Chamber upstairs in the Capitol.

The Supreme Court building faces the Capitol and is home to the offices of the nine US Supreme Court Justices, as well as the court itself. The facade says "Equal Justice Under Law"In front of the building are two small reflecting pools, sculptures of "Contemplation of Justice" and "Authority of Law" and two flagpoles.

3 more images

In this formidable Greek style temple, the nine Supreme Court Justices make final their interpretations of the Constitution in the laws of the land.

When we visited the Building there was a silent demonstration taking place outside (see picture # 4).

We climbed the steps and entered the hall after a checking of our body and bags. The lines were long, but bearable. The Hall had, along its two walls, sculptures of all its Chief Justices, who had served the Court. We observed a few courts and made an exit.

2 more images

This neoclassical building looks far older than it really is. The Supreme Court met in odd rooms in the Capitol (you'll see one if you tour the Capitol) until the early '30s, when this structure was completed. Tours start at 9am when the court is not in session. After the usual security checks, a set number of visitors will be ushered into the actual court chambers. A guide will discuss the workings of the court, plus the symbolism of the sculptures and friezes above. The decorations are of lawgivers throughout time: Confucious, Hammurabi, Mohammed, and Moses, among others.

Downstairs there are exhibits, a short film, and portraits of past justices. Be sure to take a gander before the court opens, or afterwards at the sculptured doors at the entrance. Each door is bronze, weighs 6.5 TONS, and is decorated with famous law scenes. When the court is open for sessions or tours, these giant works of art slide into pockets in the sides and are not visible. Pamphlets describing the court building and workings are given out free of charge. The closest Metro stop is Capitol South.

In this formidable Greek-style temple, the nine Supreme Court Justices make final their interpretations of the Constitution and the laws of the land. In addition to viewing the building, you can see a film, hear a lecture or, if you are exceptionally lucky, sit in on arguments when the Court is in session. Choose a three-minute quick view or come for an all-day visit, but be in line by 8:30a for passes. Check the Washington Post for descriptions of current cases and go on Mondays to hear the decisions the court hands down. Admission is free.

The building is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays.

3 more images

Cass Gilbert designed this imposing marble building, which was built in 1935. Public tours are available, although I visited on a weekend and there was nothing going on.

On the doors is a giant bronze frieze, depicting the famous law-givers of history. In front of the building are statues representing the Contemplation of Justice and the Guardian of the Law.

Of course, like many places we wanted to visit on this particular day, it was closed. The building is open Mon-Fri 9-4:30 and closed on Federal holidays, inclement weather and occasionally for cleaning. It's incredibly beautiful on the outside, though.