What role does the judicial branch play in government?

The judicial branch is a critical component of government primarily focused on interpreting laws and ensuring justice. One of its fundamental responsibilities is to decide if laws comply with the Constitution. This process involves reviewing legislation and executive actions to determine whether they uphold constitutional principles. This role helps to protect individual rights and maintain the rule of law, ensuring that all citizens are treated equally under the law.

By engaging in judicial review, judges and courts interpret the Constitution's meaning and apply it to various cases. This function serves as a check on the powers of the legislative and executive branches, ensuring that no law or government action can violate constitutional rights. The significance of this role is underscored by landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped national policy and individual liberties by establishing precedents based on constitutional interpretation.

The other options refer to different functions typically associated with other branches of government. For example, enforcement of laws primarily lies with the executive branch, while drafting legislation is a responsibility of the legislative branch. Administering the budget is also a function associated with the executive branch, where the president or governor proposes a budget, which is then reviewed and approved by the legislative body. Thus, the unique role of the judicial branch is to assess and ensure the constitutionality of laws.