The U.S. Constitution in Five Minutes - Joseph L. Smith
7. Is the Constitution What the Justices Say It Is?
The U.S. Constitution in Five Minutes - Joseph L. Smith
Joseph L. Smith [+]
University of Alabama
Joseph L. Smith is a professor and department chair in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alabama. His research focuses on decision-making in the U.S. federal courts.
Description
As the authoritative interpreters of the Constitution, Supreme Court justices have the ability to shape the Constitution to their own preferences. The justices’ policy preferences do influence how they interpret the Constitution, but several factors limit their freedom to interpret the document any way they wish.