* Declare laws unconstitutional: If a court finds a law to be in violation of the constitution, it can declare that law invalid and unenforceable.
* Strike down executive actions: If a court finds that an action taken by the executive branch violates the constitution, it can strike down that action.
* Interpret the constitution: The court's decisions on the meaning of the constitution can have a significant impact on the way the country is governed.
* Set precedents: Decisions made by courts with judicial review power often set precedents for future cases.
In essence, judicial review gives courts the power to ensure that all government actions comply with the constitution, acting as a check on the power of the other branches of government.
Examples of how judicial review is used:
* Brown v. Board of Education (1954): The Supreme Court declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).
* Roe v. Wade (1973): The Supreme Court recognized a constitutional right to abortion, striking down state laws that had made abortion illegal.
* Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): The Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry.
It's important to note that judicial review is a powerful tool that can be used to protect individual rights and ensure the government operates within the bounds of the constitution. However, it can also be controversial, as it gives courts the power to overturn the will of the legislature or the executive.