After the court decides to rule on a case, the justices hear arguments, hold discussion conferences and write decisions.
However, the Supreme Court's discussion of cases is unique, according to Breyer, because the court considers the principles behind a case as well as the particular details and arguments.
During conferences all nine justices sit around a table to discuss. "My job as the junior justice is if somebody knocks on the door, I open it," Breyer quipped.
And although the justices have varying beliefs and political stances, Breyer insisted that the process was very cordial and professional.
"In five years, I have never once heard a voice raised in anger," he said. "I have never once heard any member of our court, in total privacy, make a slighting remark, even a joke...about another member of the court."
Once the court comes to a decision, different justices are assigned to write up the majority and minority opinions. Writing opinions, Breyer said, takes up most of a justice's time.
"Most of the job is sitting at a word processor," Breyer said. "It is glamorous, but it's glamorous in the sense of sitting at that word processor."
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