How can the judiciary influence policy at all government levels?

The judiciary influences policy at all government levels primarily through the rulings made by the Supreme Court. Supreme Court rulings set precedents that can have widespread implications across various aspects of law and governance. When the Supreme Court interprets the Constitution or federal laws, its decisions can reshape legal frameworks and public policy.

For example, landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade not only resolved specific disputes but also challenged and changed societal norms and public policies on education and reproductive rights, respectively. The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional effectively allows it to strike down legislation that does not align with constitutional principles, thereby influencing legislative and executive actions across all levels of government.

While the other options, such as trials and interpretation of the law, contribute to the judiciary's role, they are generally more localized and do not have the broad, systematic impact that Supreme Court rulings can achieve. Decisions made by lower courts, while important, often hinge on the precedents established by the Supreme Court, further underscoring the significance of the Supreme Court in shaping overall policy through its rulings.