The term “judicial review” means that the Supreme Court has the power to review laws and government actions and determine whether they are consistent with the Constitution; if they are not, the Court can declare them unconstitutional and therefore unenforceable.

Core idea

  • Judicial review is the authority of courts, especially the Supreme Court, to interpret the Constitution and compare it with actions of the legislative and executive branches.
  • When a law or action conflicts with the Constitution, the Court can strike it down so it has no legal effect.

What the Supreme Court can determine

  • Whether acts of Congress (federal laws) are constitutional or unconstitutional.
  • Whether actions of the President or executive agencies follow constitutional limits.
  • Whether state laws or state government actions violate the federal Constitution.

Why it matters

  • Judicial review functions as a check on the legislative and executive branches in a system of separation of powers.
  • It helps ensure that all government power remains bound by the “supreme law of the land,” meaning the Constitution, rather than by ordinary political majorities.

In many civics or government test questions, the sentence is completed as:
“The term ‘judicial review’ means that the Supreme Court has the ability to determine if laws or government actions are constitutional.”

Meta description (SEO): Learn what the term “judicial review” means, how it gives the Supreme Court the ability to determine if laws and government actions are constitutional, and why this power is a key check in the U.S. system of government.

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