U.S. Supreme Court
What: The U.S. Supreme Court is the nation’s top arbiter of justice.
Who: The president selects nominees for the court; the Senate conducts hearings over the nominee and then votes whether to confirm.
Justices: Nine total: one chief justice and eight associated justices.
Work: The court receives more than 7,000 petitions each year, but typically hears fewer than 100 cases.