Which statement best describes judicial review?

Which statement best describes judicial review?

• A. The authority to hear cases for the first time
• B. The power to initiate appeals from other circuits
• C. The power of a court to review actions and decisions made by lower courts and other government agencies
• D. The process of appointing federal judges

Answer: (C)

Judicial review is the power of a court to examine the actions and decisions of lower courts and government agencies to determine whether they comply with the Constitution and laws. This authority lets the judiciary interpret statutes and constitutional provisions and to uphold, modify, or strike down administrative actions or lower-court rulings that overstep legal boundaries. The statement that best describes this is the one in which a court reviews actions and decisions made by lower courts and other government agencies. The other ideas refer to different functions: hearing cases for the first time describes original jurisdiction, initiating appeals involves starting appellate review rather than evaluating actions, and appointing federal judges is about selecting judges, not reviewing government actions.

Judicial review is the power of a court to examine the actions and decisions of lower courts and government agencies to determine whether they comply with the Constitution and laws. This authority lets the judiciary interpret statutes and constitutional provisions and to uphold, modify, or strike down administrative actions or lower-court rulings that overstep legal boundaries. The statement that best describes this is the one in which a court reviews actions and decisions made by lower courts and other government agencies. The other ideas refer to different functions: hearing cases for the first time describes original jurisdiction, initiating appeals involves starting appellate review rather than evaluating actions, and appointing federal judges is about selecting judges, not reviewing government actions.