Final answer:
Judicial review is the power of the courts to declare acts of the other branches unconstitutional. The court grants a writ of certiorari to hear a case after considering a petition. Stare decisis and judicial activism influence individual justices' decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Judicial review is the power of the courts, as part of the system of checks and balances, to look at actions taken by the other branches of government and determine whether they are constitutional. It allows the Supreme Court to declare acts of the other branches unconstitutional, ensuring that the government operates within the bounds of the Constitution.
The process through which the court grants a writ of certiorari begins with a petition, in which a party asks the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision. The Court then considers the petition and, if four justices agree, grants a writ of certiorari, which means the Court will hear the case.
Stare decisis is a legal principle that means to stand by precedent. It is the practice of adhering to previous court decisions when deciding similar cases. Stare decisis influences individual justices by providing a basis for consistency and stability in the law.
Judicial activism refers to the tendency of judges to interpret the law broadly and actively shape legal doctrine. It can influence individual justices by encouraging them to use their power to promote social change or protect individual rights, even if it means departing from previous decisions.