In a court system, what role does the Supreme Court play?

The Supreme Court serves as the final appellate court in the court system, which means it has the ultimate authority to interpret the law and adjudicate legal disputes. Its primary function is to review decisions made by lower courts, ensuring that the law has been applied correctly and consistently. This role often involves cases that have significant legal implications or where there may be conflicting rulings among lower courts. The Supreme Court's decisions set legal precedents that guide future cases, making its role critical in the judicial process.

In contrast, deciding minor disputes typically falls to lower courts that handle everyday legal matters. The Supreme Court does not generally try criminal cases directly; instead, it reviews the outcomes of those cases as appealed from lower trial courts. Additionally, while issues involving juveniles can be addressed by the court system, cases specifically concerning juveniles are usually handled by specialized juvenile courts rather than the Supreme Court.