Final answer:
A court of last resort is the supreme judicial authority within a jurisdiction, and for federal law in the U.S., it is the Supreme Court. This court has the power of judicial review and sets binding precedent, with both original and appellate jurisdiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
A court of last resort refers to the highest judicial body within a jurisdiction's court system, which holds the final authority to decide the remedy and resolution of cases. In the context of United States federal law, this is the U.S. Supreme Court, which serves as the nation's ultimate legal arbiter. The Supreme Court operates with original and appellate jurisdiction, meaning it can hear cases directly in certain scenarios, such as those involving states or foreign diplomats, and also review decisions from other courts. Decisions made by the Supreme Court set precedent and are binding on all lower courts, thus steering the direction of the entire judicial system.
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review enables it to assess the constitutionality of both legislative acts and executive actions. This aligns with its core responsibility to interpret and apply the Constitution, safeguarding federal law and ensuring domestic tranquility. As the court of final appeal, the Supreme Court guides the legal landscape, affecting everyone from private citizens to government entities.