Question 1

Senatorial courtesy refers to the tradition whereby

Accepted Answer

A) nominees for federal judgeships are treated with respect during Senate confirmation hearings,even by senators who plan to vote against the nominee. 
B) senators usually defer to the president's choice of Supreme Court nominees. 
C) senators are consulted on the nomination of lower-court federal judgeships in their state. 
D) nominations for the federal courts,once committee hearings are concluded,are scheduled for a vote ahead of other Senate business. 
E) House members always defer to the Senate on matters dealing with the judiciary. 
A) nominees for federal judgeships are treated with respect during Senate confirmation hearings,even by senators who plan to vote against the nominee. 
B) senators usually defer to the president's choice of Supreme Court nominees. 
C) senators are consulted on the nomination of lower-court federal judgeships in their state. 
D) nominations for the federal courts,once committee hearings are concluded,are scheduled for a vote ahead of other Senate business. 
E) House members always defer to the Senate on matters dealing with the judiciary. C

Question 2

The appointment of federal judges is influenced most substantially by

Accepted Answer

A) partisanship. 
B) logrolling. 
C) pork barreling. 
D) affirmative action. 
E) personal friendships. 
A) partisanship. 
B) logrolling. 
C) pork barreling. 
D) affirmative action. 
E) personal friendships. A

Question 3

According to the Constitution,the federal courts can issue a decision only

Accepted Answer

A) in response to actual legal cases. 
B) in cases where the U.S.government is one of the parties involved in the dispute. 
C) on cases heard previously by a state court and appealed by the losing party. 
D) in cases where the U.S.government is one of the parties involved in the dispute,and where the cases were heard previously by a state court and appealed by the losing party. 
E) None of these answers is correct. 
A) in response to actual legal cases. 
B) in cases where the U.S.government is one of the parties involved in the dispute. 
C) on cases heard previously by a state court and appealed by the losing party. 
D) in cases where the U.S.government is one of the parties involved in the dispute,and where the cases were heard previously by a state court and appealed by the losing party. 
E) None of these answers is correct. A

Question 4

________ was the first black justice to serve on the U.S.Supreme Court.

Accepted Answer

A) Clarence Thomas 
B) Antonin Scalia 
C) Robert Bork 
D) Thurgood Marshall 
E) Laurence Tribe 
A) Clarence Thomas 
B) Antonin Scalia 
C) Robert Bork 
D) Thurgood Marshall 
E) Laurence Tribe

Question 5

Which of the following Supreme Court justices was appointed during the Clinton administration?

Accepted Answer

A) Sandra Day O'Connor 
B) Clarence Thomas 
C) Ruth Bader Ginsburg 
D) Robert Bork 
E) John Paul Stevens 
A) Sandra Day O'Connor 
B) Clarence Thomas 
C) Ruth Bader Ginsburg 
D) Robert Bork 
E) John Paul Stevens

Question 6

Compared to Supreme Court nominations,those for the lower federal courts

Accepted Answer

A) are,although much greater in number,irrelevant to a president's policy agenda. 
B) are not subject to partisan consideration. 
C) have typically involved nominees who held elective office,particularly a seat in the U.S.Senate. 
D) are not subject to senatorial courtesy. 
E) None of these answers is correct. 
A) are,although much greater in number,irrelevant to a president's policy agenda. 
B) are not subject to partisan consideration. 
C) have typically involved nominees who held elective office,particularly a seat in the U.S.Senate. 
D) are not subject to senatorial courtesy. 
E) None of these answers is correct.

Question 7

Although federal district courts are theoretically bound by Supreme Court precedents,they sometimes deviate because

Accepted Answer

A) the facts of a case are seldom precisely the same as those of similar cases decided by the Supreme Court. 
B) federal judges may misunderstand the Court's judicial reasoning or position. 
C) ambiguities or unaddressed issues in Supreme Court rulings give lower courts some flexibility in deciding cases. 
D) of all these factors: the facts of a case are seldom precisely the same as those of similar cases decided by the Supreme Court;federal judges may misunderstand the Court's judicial reasoning or position;and ambiguities or unaddressed issues in the Court's rulings give lower courts some flexibility in deciding cases. 
E) None of these answers is correct. 
A) the facts of a case are seldom precisely the same as those of similar cases decided by the Supreme Court. 
B) federal judges may misunderstand the Court's judicial reasoning or position. 
C) ambiguities or unaddressed issues in Supreme Court rulings give lower courts some flexibility in deciding cases. 
D) of all these factors: the facts of a case are seldom precisely the same as those of similar cases decided by the Supreme Court;federal judges may misunderstand the Court's judicial reasoning or position;and ambiguities or unaddressed issues in the Court's rulings give lower courts some flexibility in deciding cases. 
E) None of these answers is correct.

Question 8

The federal district courts

Accepted Answer

A) are the chief trial courts of the federal system. 
B) are the only federal courts where the two sides present their case to a jury for a verdict. 
C) are the courts that,in practice,make the final decision in most federal cases. 
D) exist in each state. 
E) All these answers are correct. 
A) are the chief trial courts of the federal system. 
B) are the only federal courts where the two sides present their case to a jury for a verdict. 
C) are the courts that,in practice,make the final decision in most federal cases. 
D) exist in each state. 
E) All these answers are correct.

Question 9

The power of the Supreme Court is most apparent in its ability to

Accepted Answer

A) issue advisory opinions when Congress is considering a new bill. 
B) impeach federal judges who consistently ignore its rulings. 
C) declare another institution's action to be unconstitutional. 
D) override any decision of a state court. 
E) issue advisory opinions to the president on a regular basis. 
A) issue advisory opinions when Congress is considering a new bill. 
B) impeach federal judges who consistently ignore its rulings. 
C) declare another institution's action to be unconstitutional. 
D) override any decision of a state court. 
E) issue advisory opinions to the president on a regular basis.

Question 10

With regard to the lower courts,the Supreme Court's primary responsibility is

Accepted Answer

A) establishing legal precedents that will guide their decisions. 
B) correcting any technical mistakes the lower courts make in the cases they hear. 
C) settling jurisdictional disputes among federal judges. 
D) settling jurisdictional disputes between state and federal judges. 
E) All these answers are correct. 
A) establishing legal precedents that will guide their decisions. 
B) correcting any technical mistakes the lower courts make in the cases they hear. 
C) settling jurisdictional disputes among federal judges. 
D) settling jurisdictional disputes between state and federal judges. 
E) All these answers are correct.

Question 11

The facts of a case

Accepted Answer

A) are largely irrelevant,in that the judiciary has wide freedom with decisions. 
B) affect which law or laws will apply to the case. 
C) are important only if the case involves a statutory dispute. 
D) are important only if the case involves a constitutional dispute. 
E) are important about 50 percent of the time. 
A) are largely irrelevant,in that the judiciary has wide freedom with decisions. 
B) affect which law or laws will apply to the case. 
C) are important only if the case involves a statutory dispute. 
D) are important only if the case involves a constitutional dispute. 
E) are important about 50 percent of the time.

Question 12

The merit plan applies to ________ in the ________ court system.

Accepted Answer

A) selection of judges;federal 
B) selection of judges;state 
C) jurisdiction;federal 
D) jurisdiction;state 
E) None of these answers is correct. 
A) selection of judges;federal 
B) selection of judges;state 
C) jurisdiction;federal 
D) jurisdiction;state 
E) None of these answers is correct.

Question 13

In selecting judges,the states rely on what method?

Accepted Answer

A) political appointment 
B) competitive elections of a partisan nature 
C) competitive elections of a nonpartisan nature 
D) merit selection 
E) All these answers are correct. 
A) political appointment 
B) competitive elections of a partisan nature 
C) competitive elections of a nonpartisan nature 
D) merit selection 
E) All these answers are correct.

Question 14

The United States has two court systems,state and federal.The federal system

Accepted Answer

A) has discretionary jurisdiction over all cases arising in the state system. 
B) is the only one with appellate courts. 
C) is the only one based on the constitutional doctrine of the separation of powers. 
D) is the only one that has judges who are appointed to office. 
E) None of these answers is correct. 
A) has discretionary jurisdiction over all cases arising in the state system. 
B) is the only one with appellate courts. 
C) is the only one based on the constitutional doctrine of the separation of powers. 
D) is the only one that has judges who are appointed to office. 
E) None of these answers is correct.

Question 15

When asked if he had made any mistakes as president,________ replied,"Yes,two,and they are both sitting on the Supreme Court".

Accepted Answer

A) Ronald Reagan 
B) Jimmy Carter 
C) Richard Nixon 
D) Lyndon Johnson 
E) Dwight Eisenhower 
A) Ronald Reagan 
B) Jimmy Carter 
C) Richard Nixon 
D) Lyndon Johnson 
E) Dwight Eisenhower

Question 16

Of the thirteen U.S.courts of appeals,

Accepted Answer

A) all thirteen are assigned geographically to groups of states to deal with disputes over state laws. 
B) one is devoted to issues involving military tribunals and the District of Columbia. 
C) five have jurisdiction over disputes involving foreign territories or countries and the District of Columbia. 
D) eleven have jurisdiction over a "circuit" comprised of the district courts in anywhere from three to five states. 
E) three are devoted to dealing with disputes involving the overlapping contradiction between state and federal laws. 
A) all thirteen are assigned geographically to groups of states to deal with disputes over state laws. 
B) one is devoted to issues involving military tribunals and the District of Columbia. 
C) five have jurisdiction over disputes involving foreign territories or countries and the District of Columbia. 
D) eleven have jurisdiction over a "circuit" comprised of the district courts in anywhere from three to five states. 
E) three are devoted to dealing with disputes involving the overlapping contradiction between state and federal laws.

Question 17

A concurring opinion

Accepted Answer

A) explains the chief justice's position on a case. 
B) is a separate view written by a justice who votes with the majority but disagrees with its reasoning. 
C) is delivered when the Court interprets a constitutional issue. 
D) is delivered when at least two justices,but less than a majority,hold the same opinion in a case. 
E) explains why the Court accepted the case in the first place. 
A) explains the chief justice's position on a case. 
B) is a separate view written by a justice who votes with the majority but disagrees with its reasoning. 
C) is delivered when the Court interprets a constitutional issue. 
D) is delivered when at least two justices,but less than a majority,hold the same opinion in a case. 
E) explains why the Court accepted the case in the first place.

Question 18

The laws applicable to a case

Accepted Answer

A) reveal the relevant circumstances of the case,and are determined solely by trial courts. 
B) are more important than the facts of a case,and supersede the facts when the two conflict. 
C) constrain the judiciary,because court decisions must be based on applicable laws. 
D) apply only in the area of criminal cases and not in the area of civil disputes. 
E) None of these answers is correct. 
A) reveal the relevant circumstances of the case,and are determined solely by trial courts. 
B) are more important than the facts of a case,and supersede the facts when the two conflict. 
C) constrain the judiciary,because court decisions must be based on applicable laws. 
D) apply only in the area of criminal cases and not in the area of civil disputes. 
E) None of these answers is correct.

Question 19

Compared with the decision in a Supreme Court case,the opinion is more significant because it

Accepted Answer

A) determines the losing party in a case and the penalty to be imposed on this party. 
B) reveals the conflicts between the justices,which the president and Congress can use in determining their position on judicial appointments and new legislation. 
C) informs others of the Court's interpretation of the laws and thereby guides their decisions. 
D) addresses the constitutional aspects of a case,whereas the decision addresses the statutory aspects. 
E) None of these answers is correct. 
A) determines the losing party in a case and the penalty to be imposed on this party. 
B) reveals the conflicts between the justices,which the president and Congress can use in determining their position on judicial appointments and new legislation. 
C) informs others of the Court's interpretation of the laws and thereby guides their decisions. 
D) addresses the constitutional aspects of a case,whereas the decision addresses the statutory aspects. 
E) None of these answers is correct.

Question 20

Regarding Supreme Court procedures,which one of the following statements is NOT accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) When part of the majority,the chief justice decides which justice will write the majority opinion. 
B) A concurring opinion is a view written by a justice who votes with the majority and agrees with its reasoning. 
C) A dissenting opinion is an opinion of a judge who votes against the majority. 
D) Attorneys who argue a case before the Supreme Court operate under strict time limits. 
E) The Court has broad standards in choosing the cases it will hear. 
A) When part of the majority,the chief justice decides which justice will write the majority opinion. 
B) A concurring opinion is a view written by a justice who votes with the majority and agrees with its reasoning. 
C) A dissenting opinion is an opinion of a judge who votes against the majority. 
D) Attorneys who argue a case before the Supreme Court operate under strict time limits. 
E) The Court has broad standards in choosing the cases it will hear.

Senatorial courtesy refers to the tradition whereby

The appointment of federal judges is influenced most substantially by

According to the Constitution,the federal courts can issue a decision only

________ was the first black justice to serve on the U.S.Supreme Court.

Which of the following Supreme Court justices was appointed during the Clinton administration?

Compared to Supreme Court nominations,those for the lower federal courts

Although federal district courts are theoretically bound by Supreme Court precedents,they sometimes deviate because

The federal district courts

The power of the Supreme Court is most apparent in its ability to

With regard to the lower courts,the Supreme Court's primary responsibility is

The facts of a case

The merit plan applies to in the court system.

In selecting judges,the states rely on what method?

The United States has two court systems,state and federal.The federal system

When asked if he had made any mistakes as president,________ replied,"Yes,two,and they are both sitting on the Supreme Court".

Of the thirteen U.S.courts of appeals,

A concurring opinion

The laws applicable to a case

Compared with the decision in a Supreme Court case,the opinion is more significant because it

Regarding Supreme Court procedures,which one of the following statements is NOT accurate?

Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen

Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government

Federalism: Forging a Nation

Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights

Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness

Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the Peoples Voice

Political Participation: Activating the Popular Will

Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voters Choice

Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence

The News Media: Communicating Political Images

Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests

The Presidency: Leading the Nation

The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government

Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to Prosperity

Welfare and Education Policy: Providing for Personal Security and Need

Foreign Policy: Protecting the American Way

State and Local Politics: Maintaining Our Differences

Filters

Exam 14: The Federal Judicial System: Applying the Law

Senatorial courtesy refers to the tradition whereby

The appointment of federal judges is influenced most substantially by

According to the Constitution,the federal courts can issue a decision only

________ was the first black justice to serve on the U.S.Supreme Court.

Which of the following Supreme Court justices was appointed during the Clinton administration?

Compared to Supreme Court nominations,those for the lower federal courts

Although federal district courts are theoretically bound by Supreme Court precedents,they sometimes deviate because

The federal district courts

The power of the Supreme Court is most apparent in its ability to

With regard to the lower courts,the Supreme Court's primary responsibility is

The facts of a case

The merit plan applies to ________ in the ________ court system.

In selecting judges,the states rely on what method?

The United States has two court systems,state and federal.The federal system

When asked if he had made any mistakes as president,________ replied,"Yes,two,and they are both sitting on the Supreme Court".

Of the thirteen U.S.courts of appeals,

A concurring opinion

The laws applicable to a case

Compared with the decision in a Supreme Court case,the opinion is more significant because it

Regarding Supreme Court procedures,which one of the following statements is NOT accurate?

Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen

Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government

Federalism: Forging a Nation

Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights

Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness

Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the Peoples Voice

Political Participation: Activating the Popular Will

Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voters Choice

Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence

The News Media: Communicating Political Images

Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests

The Presidency: Leading the Nation

The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government

Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to Prosperity

Welfare and Education Policy: Providing for Personal Security and Need

Foreign Policy: Protecting the American Way

State and Local Politics: Maintaining Our Differences

Filters

The merit plan applies to in the court system.