The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. Its main role is to interpret the Constitution and federal laws, deciding what they mean in specific cases.
What the Court does
- Resolves important legal disputes: The Court hears some cases involving disagreements about federal law, constitutional rights, or conflicts between states.
- Reviews laws and government actions: Through judicial review, the Court can decide whether a law or government action violates the Constitution. If it does, the Court can strike it down.
- Sets legal precedents: Its decisions guide lower courts and influence how laws are applied across the country.
How it fits into government
The Supreme Court is part of the judicial branch, alongside the lower federal courts. Its power helps balance the other branches: Congress makes laws, the president carries them out, and courts interpret the laws and decide whether they follow the Constitution.
In short: The Supreme Court helps ensure that government follows the Constitution and that people’s legal rights are protected. It does not write laws, but its rulings can affect how laws work.