Need help putting something into short answer

[kathy88]

A two year old can understand. What was the original purpose of the Supreme Court? I'm arguing against " it's their job to interpret the constitution"

[Zippyjuan]

According to the US Constitution which defines their powers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_Three_of_the_United_States_Constitution

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.


The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;—to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two or more States;—between a State and Citizens of another State;—between Citizens of different States;—between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Cliff's Notes Version: Congress writes the laws. The President signs (or vetos) the laws. The Supreme Court resolves disputes and interprets the laws (laws are rarely black and white). Lower courts handle most matters. It goes to the Supreme Court when lower courts are unable to resolve the matter (particularly when Constitutional issues are involved).

[acptulsa]

The Supreme Court was set up to handle cases which don't fall into an easy classification so far as jurisdiction (like treason, or challenges to treaties), to be a watchdog over lower courts, and to be the ultimate arbiter of very difficult cases.

[angelatc]

A two year old can understand. What was the original purpose of the Supreme Court? I'm arguing against " it's their job to interpret the constitution"

The constitution doesn't clearly define the purpose of the SCOTUS. "Interpreting the constitution" is a power they gave themselves. See "Marbury v Madison."

That's one of the things I would change if I had a damned time machine.