The term refers to the rulings made by the highest court in the United States, which interpret and apply the law. These decisions have a significant impact on legal precedents and shape the course of American history.
Related terms
Judiciary Branch: This branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws and resolving disputes.
Marbury v. Madison: A landmark Supreme Court decision that established judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional.
Dred Scott v. Sandford: Another important Supreme Court decision that ruled enslaved African Americans were property and not citizens, contributing to tensions over slavery leading up to the Civil War