Who has the authority to interpret laws?

The authority to interpret laws primarily rests with the judicial system. This function is a fundamental aspect of the judiciary's role in the United States. Courts, through their rulings, interpret the meaning of laws and how they apply to specific cases. This interpretation can have significant implications, as it can clarify legislative intent, enforce rights, and settle disputes regarding the applicability of laws.

Judicial interpretation is essential for maintaining the rule of law and ensuring that laws are applied consistently across similar cases. The principle of checks and balances also means that while the legislature creates laws and the executive enforces them, the judiciary has the power to interpret those laws, often leading to legal precedents that guide future cases.

Other entities mentioned, such as the legislature, executive leaders, and federal agencies, have distinct roles that do not focus primarily on law interpretation. Legislatures create laws, executive leaders implement them, and federal agencies administer regulations, but the interpretation of legal texts and determination of their application is uniquely the province of the judicial system.