The courts matter because they shape society, how we live, the laws written and how they are carried out. Our state courts can impact the day-to-day lives of all Wisconsinites.
State courts handle 95% of cases filed in the United States.
We have government at the state level and the federal (U.S.) level. There is both a federal and a state constitution, as well as a federal supreme court (SCOTUS) and state supreme court (SCOWI).
Both the federal and state governments are composed of three branches.
The courts represent the third branch of government.
1. The legislative branch ➡️ makes our laws.
2. The executive branch ➡️ carries out our laws.
3. The judicial branch (courts!) ➡️ interprets and evaluates our laws.
Our government is like a three-legged stool – take out a leg and everything comes crashing down. That’s why it’s so important that our courts enforce the checks and balances written into our Constitution. We need independent courts to protect our rights and freedoms.
impartialjustice.org 