Governmental power and functions in the United States rest in three branches of government: the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive. In this system of a "separation of powers" each branch operates independently of the others. However, there are built in checks and balances to prevent overbearing concentration of power in any one branch and to protect the rights and liberties of citizens. Articles One, Two, and Three of the Constitution, define the powers that the Legislative, …showed first 75 words of 1353 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1353 total…since more than 7,000 civil and criminal cases are filed in the Supreme Court each year from the various state and federal courts. The governmental powers and functions in the United States are divided among the three branches: the Legislative, Executive and Judicial. Each branch, following the articles of the Constitution, guarantee that the balance of the government is to remain separate and to ensure that any one branch cannot assume a dictatorial strength of authority.