This guide to the workings of the Supreme Court's decisions examines the relationship between the Court and federal and state government.The book begins with a description of judicial powers, including federal jurisdiction and judicial restraint. It then discusses the Court's interactions with Congress, the president, and the states; and concludes by looking at the pressures that Congress and the president can bring to bear on the Court. Topics covered include: the constitutional basis for each branch's powers, the evolution of the Court's interactions with federal and state government, key issues, and major cases through the 1995-1996 term.The reference materials sections provide a glossary of legal terms, information about online and paper sources for Supreme Court decisions, an explanation of how to read a legal citation, biographical data on all justices, the text of the U.S. Constitution, and a selected bibliography. The book also includes a general subject index as well as a case index to all discussed decisions.