What is the primary purpose of judicial review?

The primary purpose of judicial review is to maintain checks between government powers. This principle, established in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison, allows the judiciary to interpret the Constitution and to invalidate laws or executive actions that are deemed unconstitutional. By doing so, judicial review serves as a means of ensuring that no single branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial—oversteps its bounds or infringes upon the rights of individuals.

This mechanism of checks and balances is foundational to the structure of the U.S. government, as it protects the separation of powers and upholds the rule of law. Each branch has distinct responsibilities, and judicial review enables the judiciary to confirm that the actions taken by the other branches align with constitutional mandates.