The duties of the Supreme Court of the United States include:
- Acting as the highest court in the country and the final arbiter of the law, ensuring equal justice under the law for all Americans
- Hearing cases that challenge the constitutionality of laws and government actions through its power of judicial review, which allows it to invalidate statutes or presidential directives that violate the Constitution
- Interpreting legislation, protecting civil rights, and ensuring that government policies and actions comply with the law
- Resolving disputes between states and presiding over cases involving treaties, ambassadors, and public ministers, as part of its original jurisdiction
- Reviewing decisions from lower federal and state courts on matters involving constitutional or federal law through its appellate jurisdiction, serving as the court of last resort for justice
- Safeguarding fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and due process by striking down laws that infringe on these rights, thereby limiting the power of popular majorities to harm minorities
In summary, the Supreme Court functions as the guardian and interpreter of the Constitution, ensuring that all branches of government operate within their constitutional limits and protecting individual rights
