Question

1. what do the courts do?
2. define \checks and balances\ in your own words.

Explanation:

Question 7:

Courts are part of the judicial system. Their main roles include interpreting laws, resolving legal disputes (civil cases like contract disputes, criminal cases by determining guilt/innocence), ensuring laws are applied fairly, and upholding the constitution (judicial review to check if laws/actions are constitutional). They also provide a forum for people to seek justice, punish law - breakers (through sentencing in criminal cases), and protect individual rights.

"Checks and balances" is a system in a government (like the US with legislative, executive, judicial branches) where each branch has powers to limit or "check" the other branches. This prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful. For example, the legislative branch (Congress) can pass laws, but the executive (President) can veto them, and the judicial can declare laws unconstitutional. The executive can enforce laws, but the legislative can impeach the President, and the judicial can review executive actions. The judicial interprets laws, but the legislative can amend laws or confirm judicial appointments, and the executive nominates judges.

Answer:

Courts interpret laws, resolve legal disputes (civil and criminal), ensure fair law application, uphold the constitution (via judicial review), provide a justice - seeking forum, punish law - breakers, and protect individual rights.

Question 8: