What does the judicial branch do?

What does the judicial branch do?

• A. Enforces laws
• B. Drafts laws
• C. Interprets treaties
• D. Reviews laws, explains laws, resolves disputes, and decides if a law goes against the Constitution

Answer: (D)

The judiciary’s job is to interpret and apply laws, explain what they mean, resolve disputes that come before the courts, and check that laws and government actions follow the Constitution through judicial review. Courts interpret statutes and treaties when necessary, decide cases between individuals, between states, and between branches of government, and determine whether a law or action conflicts with constitutional rights or provisions. Enforcing laws is the job of the executive branch, and drafting laws is the job of the legislative branch, so those options describe other branches. The broad activity of reviewing, interpreting, resolving disputes, and ensuring constitutional compliance best captures what the judicial branch does.

The judiciary’s job is to interpret and apply laws, explain what they mean, resolve disputes that come before the courts, and check that laws and government actions follow the Constitution through judicial review. Courts interpret statutes and treaties when necessary, decide cases between individuals, between states, and between branches of government, and determine whether a law or action conflicts with constitutional rights or provisions. Enforcing laws is the job of the executive branch, and drafting laws is the job of the legislative branch, so those options describe other branches. The broad activity of reviewing, interpreting, resolving disputes, and ensuring constitutional compliance best captures what the judicial branch does.