Korematsu v. United States

Audience

Supreme Court decisions can determine the constitutionality of a government policy. Indeed, one of the duties of the Court is to serve as a check or balance on the actions of the other two branches of government, the executive and the legislature, by assessing whether their actions are consistent with the Constitution. When people disagree with a new law or action by the president or executive branch, they often use the courts to challenge the government's deeds. As such, the decisions of the Supreme Court have two real audiences. The first group includes political officials, law enforcement, the military, members of Congress, and other government personnel. The decisions not only confirm or reject the legality of an action but also provide guidance on how policies can and should be implemented. They may also stop government actions or forbid specific policies if they conflict with the Constitution.

The second audience is the entire country. Rulings of the court affect all Americans for generations. Significantly, Supreme Court decisions not only deal with contemporary issues but also serve as precedents for future policies and court decisions. For instance, the Hirabayashi v. United States case served as precedent for the Korematsu ruling. Even rulings directed toward one group or one class may serve as precedents for policies that involve other groups. Thus, court decisions are often written with an eye on history and an understanding that the rulings will be analyzed and studied, and perhaps challenged, by future generations.