Washington State has a tripartite system of government; our three branches of government check and balance one another. Theoretically no branch of government is more powerful than the others, however it can be a delicate balance. Check out how people answer the question “What is the most powerful branch?
Essential Questions:
- What occurs after a law is declared unconstitutional?
- How do the three branches of government work together when laws are deemed unconstitutional?
- How does the abolition of the death penalty in Washington State illustrate the power of the Washington State Supreme Court?
Objectives:
- Understand the role of the Supreme Court in interpreting laws
- Understand what role the legislature has when laws are declared unconstitutional
- Explain what a precedent is and how it applies to the judicial branch