Light

Supreme Court decisions

Definition

The term refers to the rulings made by the highest court in the United States, which interpret and apply the law. These decisions have a significant impact on legal precedents and shape the course of American history.

Analogy

Think of Supreme Court decisions like game rules set by referees during a basketball match. Their rulings determine how players should play and what actions are acceptable or not.

Related terms

Judiciary Branch: This branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws and resolving disputes.

Marbury v. Madison: A landmark Supreme Court decision that established judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Dred Scott v. Sandford: Another important Supreme Court decision that ruled enslaved African Americans were property and not citizens, contributing to tensions over slavery leading up to the Civil War