ok i know Congress makes laws, does the supreme court reinforce them, interpret them or what?? my questions are what is the supreme court? and also how is it vis-a-vis Congress?
2007-01-16 10:20:11 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
FYI i'm not the one giving the thumb downs...someone even gave me one!
2007-01-16 10:46:36 · update #1
The Supreme Court has a special role to play in the United States system of government. The Constitution gives it the power to check, if necessary, the actions of the President and Congress.
It can tell a President that his actions are not allowed by the Constitution. It can tell Congress that a law it passed violated the U.S. Constitution and is, therefore, no longer a law. It can also tell the government of a state that one of its laws breaks a rule in the Constitution.
The Supreme Court is the final judge in all cases involving laws of Congress, and the highest law of all — the Constitution.
The Supreme Court, however, is far from all-powerful. Its power is limited by the other two branches of government. The President nominates justices to the court. The Senate must vote its approval of the nominations. The whole Congress also has great power over the lower courts in the federal system. District and appeals courts are created by acts of Congress. These courts may be abolished if Congress wishes it.
The Supreme Court is like a referee on a football field. The Congress, the President, the state police, and other government officials are the players. Some can pass laws, and others can enforce laws. But all exercise power within certain boundaries. These boundaries are set by the Constitution. As the "referee" in the U.S. system of government, it is the Supreme Court's job to say when government officials step out-of-bounds.
2007-01-16 10:27:07 · answer #1 · answered by mistresscris 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Supreme Court's role is to interpret the Constitution of the United States. It's there job when two parties can't agree on what a law means to clarify the issue and make a ruling. The Supreme Court has no actual power to enforce those rulings, however, and while politicians may moan and complain about activist judges they abide by the rulings because sometimes it goes in their favor.
2007-01-16 10:25:18 · answer #2 · answered by Phil H 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is usually considered the duty of the Supreme Court to interpert and apply the laws Congress makes and to ensure the Constitutionality of laws. It is also up to the Supreme Court to resolve conflicts between Federal laws and resolve conflicts between individual states.
2007-01-16 10:24:52 · answer #3 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They will say a ban on gay marrige would violate the interstate commerce clause, or some similar crapola. Other than the Heller ruling, the Supreme Court has proven itself to be a totally political body now. They will rule whatever is politically popular with the liberals.
2016-03-29 00:40:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the supreme court holds up the constition. it takes on cases (by choice) that are said to be unconstitutional- including laws that conflict with the constitution. if the constituion is not being upheld the supreme court will overturn the verdict
2007-01-16 11:55:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only role of the Supreme Court is to interpet laws to see if they are constitutionally correct. They may not rule on any issue unless it is brought to them, even if they know it is unconstitutional. Unless someone challenges the law and takes it to the Supreme Court, they are powerless.
2007-01-16 10:24:11 · answer #6 · answered by psycmikev 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Legislative branch makes the laws.
Executive branch enforces the laws.
Judicial branch interprets the laws.
More information about the Supreme Court:
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/
EDIT-- Again with the freaking thumbs down. I give the right answer plus a link to more information (good information, I've already looked at a bunch of it), and I get a freaking thumbs down. Why?
2007-01-16 10:24:17 · answer #7 · answered by Jack 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It has been awhile since my civics class but the supreme court main purpose is to protect the Constitution , to provide that no laws take away our constitutional rights.
2007-01-16 10:24:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It ensures the application of law; it ensures that the federal court system is properly (constitutionally) operated; and it decides on cases where the constitutionality of a law is in question.
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/about/briefoverview.pdf
2007-01-16 10:43:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
supreme court interprets laws and decide if something is constitutional or not. i think thats about it
2007-01-16 10:30:37 · answer #10 · answered by sdgfi;ok 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋