Which term describes the power of an independent judiciary, or courts of law, to determine whether the acts of other components of the government are in accordance with the constitution?

• A. Judicial Review
• B. Stop and Frisk
• C. Opening Statements
• D. Jury Deliberations

Answer: (C)

Judicial review is the power of the judiciary to determine whether acts of the other branches of government are in accordance with the constitution. This authority creates a check and balance, allowing courts to strike down or require modification of laws and executive actions that violate constitutional rights or principles. In many systems, including the United States, judicial review is the mechanism that keeps the legislative and executive branches within constitutional bounds.

Stop and frisk refers to a police practice of briefly detaining and searching someone for safety or weapons, not a constitutional check on government actions. Opening statements are the initial summaries presented by each side at the start of a trial, outlining their case. Jury deliberations are the phase where jurors discuss the evidence and decide the verdict, not a review of constitutional validity.