Anyone can interpret the Constitution; however, the courts determine whether laws, executive orders, treaties and policies are in keeping with the principles of the Constitution, and have the ability to nullify and render unenforceable any that are not. The Supreme Court is the ultimate authority on Constitutional law.
In many republican democratic systems of government, like that of the United States, the power to interpret the constitution is vested in the judiciary. The Supreme Court as the highest court of the land decides with finality any justiciable controversy brought before it or the courts a quo for adjudication.
Additional Information
The United States is a Constitutional Republic and NOT a representative democracy. Many people incorrectly refer to our system of government as a democracy. It is not. A democracy is akin to two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. It is our Constitution that protects the minority from the tyranny of the majority.
"We the people' have the sole power to interpret the Constitution. When you hear about the Supreme Court deciding a case on Constitutional issues, they are interpreting a law written by the legislative branch to determine if it infringes upon or conflicts with the Constitution. In order to do so, they must determine (interpret) the intent of the Constitution.
The US Supreme Court, head of the Judicial Branch of government, is the ultimate authority on the interpretation the Constitution.
The courts are vested with the authority to interpret laws and ensure they adhere to the spirit and letter of the Constitution, as explained in Articles III and VI. This necessitates interpreting the meaning of the Constitution, as well. The courts are also responsible for determining how a laws are interpreted and applied. The Supreme Court, as the highest appellate court in the nation, is the final authority on the Constitution.
The ability to interpret and amend the constitution represents a compromise because you need to give a little to get a little. You pay taxes and your kids go to good schools.
it gave the federal government more power over the states
judges if laws and acts of the legislative and executive branches are constitutional
The provision that provides flexibility to the U.S.Constitution is Article 5, which established procedures for proposing and ratifying amendments to the Constitution. Article 3 established the Supreme Court and the power of judicial review. It does not grant the Court the power to interpret the Constitution. However, in the 1803 case Marbury vs. Madison the Supreme Court determined that it had the right to interpret the Constitution, thus lending flexibility to the Constitution. -- Contributed by Ray Kovach, Chicago, IL
Such a judge would be called a "strict constructionist". This is because that judge would construe, or interpret, the Constitution in a strict way, keeping close to the literal meaning of the actual words used. in the Constitution.
Any court can interpret the constitution, but the US Supreme Court is the final arbiter on constitutionality.
A "literalist" would interpret the Constitution just as it is written, rather than interpret its meaning in context.
Interpretation is left up to the Supreme Court and other lower courts. Agencies have no authority to interpret the Constitution.
There is no interpretation in the Constitution. It is timeless, and was intended to be upheld as long as America stands.
Apply and interpret the constitution in legal cases
judicial restraint.
Supreme Court
it is the supreme courts role is to interpret the constitution
Appeal
Interpret the Constitution in a court case
The principle of judicial review.
The Judicial Branch