What is the role of the Supreme Court?

• A. Interpret laws and the Constitution and settle constitutional disputes; review lower-court decisions.
• B. Enforce laws in local government.
• C. Manage budgets for the federal government.
• D. Determine punishments for criminal offenses.

Answer: (A)

The Supreme Court’s job is to interpret laws and the Constitution and to settle constitutional disputes, and to review decisions made by lower courts. It acts as the final authority on what laws mean and whether government actions comply with constitutional rights, guiding how cases are decided when constitutional questions arise. This power, known as judicial review, helps keep the other branches in check and ensures consistency in constitutional interpretation across the country. The other options describe duties that belong to other parts of government or misstate the Court’s role: enforcing laws is the job of the executive branch, budgeting is handled by Congress and the President, and while courts determine punishments through the criminal justice process, the Supreme Court does not set penalties on its own.