How it fits together
The federal judiciary includes the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. Courts resolve legal disputes and interpret laws. Judicial review means they can decide whether government actions or laws conflict with the Constitution, an important check on the political branches.
A closer look
Supreme Court justices hold office during good behavior rather than for a fixed election term. Life tenure is meant to support independence, but a justice may retire or resign and can be removed through impeachment and conviction. Nine is the number of seats, even during a vacancy.