What does the judicial branch do?

Answers from the USCIS list

Give one of these answers. Words in light (parentheses) are optional.

• Reviews laws
• Explains laws
• Resolves disputes optional: (disagreements) about the law
• Decides if a law goes against the optional: (U.S.) Constitution

Our explanation

Courts review and explain laws. They resolve disputes (disagreements) about the law. They can also decide if a law goes against the Constitution, because the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

Remember it

Congress makes laws. The President enforces laws. Courts review laws.

Source

USCIS 2025 Study Guide (M-1175) pp. 12, 31: “One of the important roles of the Judicial Branch is to review laws. This means that they can decide if a law follows the Constitution.”

• 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25) (PDF, USCIS)

Last checked on September 29, 2026.

Found a mistake on this page? Email us at ljorjoliani@icloud.com.

Easy to mix up with

• 18What part of the federal government writes laws?
• 41Name one power of the president.