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Judicial Branch. Interprets the Laws. The Basics. Judicial Branch=Supreme & inferior courts Supreme Court interprets the laws 1 Chief Justice & 8 Associate Justices on Supreme Court (9 total) Supreme Court Justices appointed for life
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Judicial Branch Interprets the Laws
The Basics • Judicial Branch=Supreme & inferior courts • Supreme Court interprets the laws • 1 Chief Justice & 8 Associate Justices on Supreme Court (9 total) • Supreme Court Justices appointed for life • Beneath the Supreme Court are the U.S. Court of Appeals and District Courts
Supreme Court Requirements • None • Must be appointed by the President and approved (confirmed) by the Senate
Checks & Balances • Supreme Court has the power to rule: • laws unconstitutional • acts of the executive branch (president) or legislative branch (Congress) unconstitutional
Judicial Review • This power allows the courts to review the actions of thelegislative and executive branches. • The Supreme Court established this power in Marbury v. Madison (1803). • This case was the first time the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the actions of another branch were unconstitutional.
Rulings • The Supreme Court selects cases that involve: • Issues related to the Constitution • Issues between states or between states and the federal government • Precedent-rule of law • When the Supreme Court makes a ruling, that ruling becomes the new precedent or rule of law—all lower courts must follow their interpretation