The Supreme Court is very important in the United States. It helps make sure that Congress and the President don't take too much power. The Court interprets the Constitution, which can change the laws of the country in big ways.
One of the main ways the Supreme Court makes an impact is through something called judicial review. This power was established in a famous case called Marbury v. Madison in 1803. It means the Court can cancel laws that it believes go against the Constitution.
For example, in the case of United States v. Lopez in 1995, the Court said a federal law that banned guns in school zones was not okay. This decision supported states' rights and limited what Congress could do under the Commerce Clause.
Another important idea is called stare decisis, which means using earlier decisions to help decide new cases. For instance, the case Roe v. Wade in 1973 gave women the right to choose an abortion. This decision has affected many state laws and continues to be a big topic in discussions about women's rights.
The Court also mirrors changes in society. When the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, it not only supported marriage equality but also made Congress think about other issues like anti-discrimination laws.
To sum it all up, the Supreme Court doesn’t write laws, but its decisions greatly affect how laws are made. By canceling laws that aren't constitutional, creating legal precedents, and reflecting what society values, the Court helps keep the legislative branch responsible.
Understanding how the Supreme Court works is very important, especially for students studying government or preparing for AP exams.
The Supreme Court is very important in the United States. It helps make sure that Congress and the President don't take too much power. The Court interprets the Constitution, which can change the laws of the country in big ways.
One of the main ways the Supreme Court makes an impact is through something called judicial review. This power was established in a famous case called Marbury v. Madison in 1803. It means the Court can cancel laws that it believes go against the Constitution.
For example, in the case of United States v. Lopez in 1995, the Court said a federal law that banned guns in school zones was not okay. This decision supported states' rights and limited what Congress could do under the Commerce Clause.
Another important idea is called stare decisis, which means using earlier decisions to help decide new cases. For instance, the case Roe v. Wade in 1973 gave women the right to choose an abortion. This decision has affected many state laws and continues to be a big topic in discussions about women's rights.
The Court also mirrors changes in society. When the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, it not only supported marriage equality but also made Congress think about other issues like anti-discrimination laws.
To sum it all up, the Supreme Court doesn’t write laws, but its decisions greatly affect how laws are made. By canceling laws that aren't constitutional, creating legal precedents, and reflecting what society values, the Court helps keep the legislative branch responsible.
Understanding how the Supreme Court works is very important, especially for students studying government or preparing for AP exams.