question 3

hook

supreme court has impact on american society by interpreting the constitution

roadmap

1) explain judicial review 2) analyze how courts see rights in key cases 3) how decisions are made and change over time

1) judicial review

definition of judicial review, as a policymaking tool

definition of judicial review

power of the courts to declare laws of executive actions unconstitutional; established in marbury v. madison

judicial review as a policymaking tool

courts interpret laws/constitution, creating binding precedents

2) balancing rights/values in cases

challenges

challenges of balancing rights and values

courts often weigh individual freedoms against government interests/social needs

3) how court makes decisions/why rulings change

decision making process, influence factors on judges

decision making process

case selection is via writ of certiorari; briefs, oral arguments, conferences, majority/dissenting opinions

influence factors on judges

legal factors (precedent: stare decisis), personal ideology, institutional context, public opinion