What principle allows the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional?

What principle allows the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional?

• A. Checks and balances
• B. Due process
• C. Judicial Review
• D. Federal supremacy

Answer: (C)

Judicial Review is the power that lets the Supreme Court interpret the Constitution and strike down laws or government actions that conflict with it. This authority means the Court can declare a law unconstitutional because it violates constitutional protections. The idea was established in Marbury v. Madison, which solidified the Court’s role in reviewing Acts of Congress and the President to ensure they comply with the Constitution. While checks and balances describe how the branches limit each other, the specific ability to invalidate laws comes from Judicial Review. Due process concerns fair treatment under the law, not the power to veto laws; federal supremacy concerns which laws prevail between federal and state governments, not constitutional validity.

Judicial Review is the power that lets the Supreme Court interpret the Constitution and strike down laws or government actions that conflict with it. This authority means the Court can declare a law unconstitutional because it violates constitutional protections. The idea was established in Marbury v. Madison, which solidified the Court’s role in reviewing Acts of Congress and the President to ensure they comply with the Constitution. While checks and balances describe how the branches limit each other, the specific ability to invalidate laws comes from Judicial Review. Due process concerns fair treatment under the law, not the power to veto laws; federal supremacy concerns which laws prevail between federal and state governments, not constitutional validity.