Name: ________________________________
The Judicial Branch: Interpreting the Laws
Article III of the Constitution describes the judicial branch.
The judicial branch has the responsibility for interpreting the
nation’s laws, settling disagreements between states, and
protecting the Constitution.
Fun Fact: William Taft is the only US
Here, we see the Supreme Court
building in Washington, DC where
nine Supreme Court justices make
many important decisions.
President to have also served as chief
justice of the Supreme Court too!
The judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is made up of
nine justices, or judges. The Court’s leader is called the chief justice. Justices are appointed by
the president and approved by the Senate. Justices serve on the Court for life. Congress has
the power to create other federal courts under the Supreme Court.
Over time, the judicial branch has gained some important powers. An especially
important one is the power to decide whether a national or state law conflicts with the
Constitution. Such a law is called unconstitutional. Unconstitutional means that a law is in
conflict with the constitution. Laws that do not conflict with the Constitution are called
constitutional.
The Constitution gives the judicial branch a similar power concerning treaties with other
countries. If the courts find that a treaty violates the Constitution, it does not go into effect.
Importantly, the judicial branch also has the power to interpret the law. That is, the
courts have the power to settle disagreements about what a law means or how it applies to
particular situation (court case).
The judicial branch also has power during impeachment trials. Most notably, the chief
justice acts as the presiding judge in such trials.
By using these powers, the judicial branch protects the Constitution and the rights of
the Americans. If the actions of the other branches conflict with the Constitution, the judicial
branch tries to make sure that the Constitution always “wins.”
Directions: Choose the best answer.
1. Which branch of government has the
responsibility for interpreting the
nation’s laws, settling disagreements
between states, and protecting the
Constitution?
A. Legislative
B. Executive
C. Judicial
D. Federal
2. Who is headed by the judicial branch?
A. The Supreme Court
B. Congress
C. The President
D. The Senate
3. How many justices make up the
Supreme Court?
A. 5
B. 10
C. 8
D. 9
4. Justices serve on the Supreme Court
for how long?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. Their hole life
D. 25 years
5. What is the term that means a law is in
conflict with the constitution?
A. Constitutional
B. Unconstitutional
C. Federal
D. Justice
6. The judicial branch has the power to
______.
A. Interpret the law
B. Enforce the law
C. Make the laws
D. Write bills
7. Who is the Court’s leader?
A. The President
B. The Chief Justice
C. The Congress
D. The ambassador
8. Which of these does the judicial
branch NOT do?
A. Protects the Constitution
B. Settles disagreements about what
the law means
C. Turns laws into bills
D. Interprets the laws
9. Where is the Supreme Court building
located?
A. Richmond, VA
B. Washington, DC
C. Loudoun County, VA
D. The United Nations
10. Who was the only US President to have
served as a Supreme Court Chief
Justice?
A. James Madison
B. William McKinley
C. Woodrow Wilson
D. William Taft