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The judicial branch: lesson overview
A high-level overview of the judicial branch and its power of judicial review.
The design of the judicial branch protects the Supreme Court’s
independence as a branch of government. The Supreme Court wields the power of judicial review to check the actions of the other branches of government.
Key terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| inferior courts | Also called lower courts, inferior courts include all US federal courts below the Supreme Court, including courts of appeals, district courts, and federal tribunals. Congress retains the power to establish inferior courts and to determine how they operate. |
| John Marshall | An early, influential Chief Justice of the United States who led the Supreme Court from 1801-1835. Marshall wrote several foundational Court decisions, including Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland, which enhanced the power of the judicial branch and affirmed the supremacy of federal law over state law. |
| judicial independence | Factors that prevent members of the legislative and executive branches from influencing Supreme Court justices, including lifetime appointments for justices and a ban on salary decreases for sitting justices. |
| judicial review | The Supreme Court’s power to review whether acts of the legislative branch, the executive branch, and state governments are consistent with the Constitution, and to strike down acts it finds unconstitutional. |
| Supreme Court | The highest federal court of the United States, established by Article III of the US Constitution, with nine sitting justices today. Unlike inferior courts, the Supreme Court is shielded from the influence of Congress, which cannot change its jurisdiction or the salaries of sitting justices. |
Documents and cases to know
Federalist no. 78 (1788) - “The Judiciary Department,” written by Alexander Hamilton. In this essay advocating for the ratification of the US Constitution, Hamilton describes the proposed form for the new government’s judicial branch. He argues that judges should serve for life pending good behavior to ensure judicial independence, and that the judicial branch will be the “least dangerous” branch of government since it can neither wage war nor collect taxes. Hamilton also provides an early argument for the power of judicial review, stating that the courts’ duty is “to declare all acts contrary to . . . the Constitution void.”
Article III - Article III of the US Constitution establishes the judicial branch of US government. It explicitly creates one Supreme Court, but gives Congress the power to create all other inferior courts. Article III guarantees judicial independence by granting lifetime appointments for justices and preventing Congress from lowering the salaries of sitting justices.
Marbury v. Madison (1803) — An early Supreme Court case that affirmed the Court’s power of judicial review by striking down a law made by Congress as unconstitutional. In his written opinion, Chief Justice John Marshall declared that “an act of the legislature repugnant to the Constitution is void.”
Key takeaways
Constitutionalism - The federal courts use judicial review to determine whether the acts of Congress, the executive branch, and state governments comply with the Constitution. This exemplifies the principle of checks and balances by ensuring that the other branches of government cannot act outside the bounds of the Constitution without consequence.
The judicial branch also demonstrates the importance of separation of powers, as lifetime appointments for justices and bans on salary decreases for sitting justices ensure the judicial branch’s independence from the interference of the other two branches.
Review questions
What is judicial review? Can you explain it in your own words?
Did the Framers intend for the Supreme Court to have the power of judicial review? How do we know?
Do you agree with Hamilton’s belief that the judicial branch is the “least dangerous” branch of government? Why or why not?
Want to join the conversation?
If the framers of the Constitution intended the Supreme Court to have the power of judicial review, why didn't they directly talk about it in the Constitution?(18 votes)- So we know that Congress has proceeded to use the Legislative veto even though it has been ruled as unconstitutional (for executive agencies), but if the Supreme Court doesn't have the power to enforce the rulings they make, why does the president and Congress choose to follow them (for the most part)?(4 votes)
Action can be taken against them by the other branch.
An example would be impeachment of the president although on the extreme side(4 votes)
why was the Judicial branch given less power than the other two branches?(4 votes)- The court's power is merely to restrict the other two, who are much more ambitious.(2 votes)
What makes an effective judge?(2 votes)- a person willing to put there own ideas aside, and rule in favor of the constitution.(3 votes)
- Given the modern day functions of the Supreme Court, would it still be considered the weakest branch of government?(2 votes)
- No... The appointment and seating of Supreme Court justices is too loose. The Senate rules cannot have supermajority requirements and the US Constitution should be altered to insist on a 3/5ths majority for confirmation of Supreme Court justices.(1 vote)
- What is judicial review?(1 vote)
Judicial review is when the Supreme Court goes over a law, reviews it, and makes sure it follows the Constitution, etc. If it doesn't then it is thrown out.(2 votes)
why is judicial view important?(1 vote)- Did the Framers want the Supreme Court to have the power of judicial review?(1 vote)
They likely didn't consider it. Marbury v. Madison gave the Supreme Court more power to determine laws unconstitutional.(1 vote)
Did the Framers intend for the Supreme Court to have the power of judicial review? How do we know?(1 vote)- If the framers of the Constitution intended the Supreme Court to have the power of judicial review, why didn't they directly talk about it in the Constitution?(1 vote)