What does the process of "judicial review" allow the courts to do?

The process of "judicial review" allows the courts to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative acts and executive actions. This principle is fundamental to the American legal system, established by the landmark Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison in 1803. Judicial review empowers the judiciary to scrutinize laws and actions taken by the legislative and executive branches to ensure they align with the Constitution. If a law or action is found to violate constitutional principles, the courts have the authority to invalidate it. This mechanism serves as a critical check and balance within the government, maintaining the rule of law and protecting individual rights.

While reviewing state laws for consistency, assessing the effectiveness of administrative policies, and interpreting international treaties are important judicial functions, they do not encapsulate the essence of judicial review. Each of those functions falls under different legal principles or doctrines, but judicial review specifically focuses on constitutional evaluation.