Fall Session

The new Chief Justice of the United States, John Roberts, 50, presides over today’s opening of the new Supreme Court term.

Chief Justice Roberts, who is replacing the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist, could have a significant impact on the nation's highest court for decades to come.

President Bush must now nominate a successor for retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, 75. Beginning next week, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear cases on a number of complex legal issues.