Which of the following best describes the effect of judicial review?

• A. Courts can strike down unconstitutional laws
• B. Courts can only interpret but not strike down laws
• C. Courts can amend the Constitution
• D. Courts can pass laws

Answer: (A)

Judicial review is the authority of courts to examine laws and government actions to ensure they conform to the Constitution. When a law or action conflicts with constitutional provisions, the judiciary can declare it invalid, effectively striking it down. This power acts as a check on both the legislative and executive branches, keeping laws and government actions within constitutional limits.

This is why the description fits best: courts can strike down unconstitutional laws. The Constitution isn’t amended by courts, so they don’t amend the document themselves, and passing laws remains the job of the legislature. While judges interpret laws to apply them correctly, the key feature here is the ability to invalidate laws that violate the Constitution.