What role do judges and the judical system play in supporting freedom?

The role played by judges and the judicial system while supporting freedom basically depends on the situation at hand.  From my understanding of the material this week, they play by the law, which follows politics.  So while they have the decision on what happens in any given situation, it is usually in accordance with the law.  Basically, the judicial system is in place to make sure someone is there to state the final judgments even though they are already written.  However, certain judges will be chosen based on their status, republican president choosing republican judiciary or in President Clinton’s case, opening up the status to women and other members of race.  Perhaps if certain judges with their beliefs are in office, they will have more say of particular freedoms than the next.