The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts. a constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. it therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, … —alexander hamilton, federalist no. 78 in this quote, hamilton asserts that it is an important role of the courts to be an intermediary between the executive and legislative branches determine the meaning of laws and use the judicial process to write them interpret the constitution and apply it as the foundation for decisions appoint proper