What does judicial review empower courts to do?

Judicial review empowers courts to declare laws unconstitutional, which is a fundamental principle established by the Supreme Court in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison in 1803. This power allows the judiciary to ensure that the legislative and executive branches of government do not create or enforce laws that violate the Constitution. Through judicial review, courts act as a check on the powers of the other branches of government, reinforcing the rule of law and protecting individual rights. This mechanism is essential for upholding the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and maintaining the balance of power among the three branches of government.