The judicial branch of a government plays a vital role in the structure of a country. It is responsible for deciding the meaning of laws, allowing the other branches to respond to their actions. Because of this system of checks and balances, the judiciary has judges reflecting diversity. It also decides whether a law is constitutional and decides on the validity of its provisions.
Judicial branch responds to the actions of the other branches – system of checks and balances
The Constitution has a special provision for the judicial branch, which reviews laws, executive orders, and federal agencies for constitutionality. When these actions are unconstitutional, the judicial branch can overturn them. This system is the cornerstone of our democracy and has proven itself extremely effective. While most Americans believe in democracy, judicial branch officials do not face the pressure of reelection or public opinion.
The judicial branch interprets the laws that are passed by Congress. It has the power to veto a bill, which the executive branch has deemed unconstitutional. It can override a president’s veto by a two-thirds supermajority vote. This ensures that the president cannot abuse his powers. Similarly, the judicial branch can declare an executive order to be unconstitutional.
The judicial branch can also veto legislation passed by Congress, and it can overturn laws deemed unconstitutional. In the case of executive orders, however, this power has often expanded since the 19th century, and it is largely irrelevant to the original balance of powers. Instead, judicial rulings can fuel a controversy.
It decides the meaning of laws
The judicial branch of the government is a body of courts that interpret laws and the Constitution. These courts can invalidate laws if they are unconstitutional, change the Constitution based on interpretation, and even change the Constitution itself. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and consists of nine justices and judges, each nominated by the President. These judges hear cases that have already made their way through the court system.
In the United States, the judicial branch is a separate body of government from the executive and legislative branches. The president and the legislative branch are elected by the people, while members of the Judicial Branch are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Members of the Judicial Branch have wide-ranging powers, and they are responsible for interpreting and applying laws in individual cases. However, their decisions are often very controversial and are often appealed by the opposing side.
It includes judges who reflect diversity on the bench
The federal judiciary has tended to be predominantly white and male since its inception in the late nineteenth century, but progress has been made in recent years. Today, more than 50 percent of federal bench judges are people of color, and women and LGBTQ individuals make up just under 30 percent. The judicial branch of a federal government is also disproportionately male and white, with only three women and two African Americans serving on the Supreme Court.
While a majority of state and federal judges are White, there are still disproportionately few people of color on the bench in most states. Only 21 percent of state and federal courts have judges of color. In Alabama, where white residents make up more than two-thirds of the population, for example, no appellate court judges are black, according to the Center for American Progress. Arizona, on the other hand, has a forty-percent non-White population, but has no black appellate court judges.
Diversity on the bench is also important in decision-making. Judiciary decisions should reflect the perspectives of diverse litigants and communities. Having a diverse judicial branch means judges are forced to consider a broader range of views and perspectives than those of dominant groups. This diversity acts as a check on the dominant perspective. The government should therefore consider implementing this policy when assessing federal judicial appointments.