The judicial branch primarily interprets and applies the law. Its main functions include:

• Deciding the meaning of laws and how to apply them to real situations.
• Determining whether laws or government actions violate the Constitution, a power known as judicial review.
• Resolving legal disputes peacefully that individuals or entities cannot settle themselves.
• Ensuring laws are enforced fairly and consistently.
• Protecting individual rights granted by the Constitution or state laws.

The U.S. judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court, which is the highest court, along with lower federal courts such as Courts of Appeals and District Courts. The Supreme Court has the ultimate authority to interpret the Constitution and can overturn laws that it finds unconstitutional. Judges depend on the executive branch to enforce court decisions, but the judiciary operates independently to provide checks and balances within the federal government

. In summary, the judicial branch interprets laws, ensures their constitutionality, resolves disputes, and upholds the rule of law in the United States.