In a constitutional democracy, what is the main function of the judicial branch of government?

Introduction / Context:
Modern democratic governments are usually divided into three branches: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. Each branch has a distinct role so that no single branch becomes too powerful. This question checks whether you understand the specific and central role of the judicial branch, which is closely tied to the idea of constitutionalism and protection of rights.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The setting is a constitutional democracy with separation of powers.
• There are three main branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
• The question asks about the main function of the judicial branch.
• The options list different government functions, such as making laws, enforcing laws, and interpreting laws.

Concept / Approach:
The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws and ensuring that they are consistent with the constitution. Courts resolve disputes, protect fundamental rights, and review the actions of the legislature and the executive. In many systems this is called judicial review. Making laws is the work of the legislature, enforcing laws is the role of the executive, and managing taxes and budgets is usually part of executive and legislative work together.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the basic division of powers. The legislature makes laws, the executive implements them, and the judiciary interprets them. Step 2: Look at the options and separate legislative, executive, and judicial functions. Step 3: Writing new laws and amending legislation is a legislative function, not a judicial one. Step 4: Enforcing laws through police and administration is an executive function. Step 5: Preparing budgets and collecting taxes is mainly an executive task, subject to legislative approval. Step 6: Interpreting laws and checking whether they agree with the constitution is the classic and core judicial function. Step 7: Therefore, the correct answer is that the judicial branch interprets laws and decides whether they agree with the constitution.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of a Supreme Court or High Court case where a law is challenged as unconstitutional. The court does not write a new law or collect taxes. Instead, judges carefully read the constitution and the challenged law, hear arguments, and then give a judgment that says whether the law is valid or invalid. This is clearly interpretation and constitutional review, confirming that interpretation is the main task of the judicial branch.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Writing or amending laws is done by legislatures such as Parliament or Congress and not by courts. Enforcing laws through police, departments, and daily administration is the responsibility of the executive branch. Preparing budgets and collecting taxes is a fiscal and administrative function, mainly linked to executive and legislative cooperation, not the judiciary.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes assume that courts can behave like lawmakers because their decisions may influence law. However, even when courts influence policy, they do so by interpreting existing law, not by drafting new statutes. Another mistake is to think that all government branches enforce laws. In reality, enforcement is primarily executive, while interpretation is judicial. Keeping this separation clear helps in many constitutional and political science questions.

Final Answer:
The judicial branch mainly interprets laws and decides whether they agree with the constitution.