Supreme Myths : Why the Supreme Court Is Not a Court and Its Justices Are Not Judges

by Segall, Eric J.

• ISBN13: 9780313396878
• ISBN10: 0313396876
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-02-22
• Publisher: Greenwood Pub Group

Summary

Supreme Myths: Why the Supreme Court is Not a Court and its Justices are Not Judges presents a detailed discussion of the Court's most important and controversial constitutional cases that demonstrates why it doesn't justify being labeled "a court of law." Eric Segall, professor of law at Georgia State University College of Law for two decades, explains why this third branch of the national government is an institution that makes important judgments about fundamental questions based on the Justices' ideological preferences, not the law. A complete understanding of the true nature of the Court's decision-making process is necessary, he argues, before an intelligent debate over who should serve on the Courtand what cases they should be allowed to decidecan be held. Addressing front-page areas of constitutional law such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and reproductive rights, this book offers a frank description of how the Supreme Court really operates, a critique of the current nomination process and life tenure of its Justices, and a set of proposals aimed at making the Court function more transparently to further the goals of our representative democracy.