The courts

judiciary

The branch of government made up of the courts and judges. The federal judiciary is the Supreme Court plus the courts Congress created beneath it.

In full

The judiciary decides cases: it applies the law to specific disputes and, where a law conflicts with the Constitution, refuses to enforce it. Article III creates the Supreme Court and lets Congress establish the rest, which is why the number of lower courts and judgeships is set by statute. Each state has its own separate judiciary, and most cases in the country are heard there.

Also written as: judicial branch, the courts

Where to go next

Supreme Court district court Article III judge separation of powers Courts and rulings

Written from U.S. Courts, About Federal Courts

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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.