Exam 15: The Federal Courts

The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the federal circuit courts and district courts.

The Supreme Court hears cases from state courts only if they involve __________ law.

Describe the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction.Which federal courts have which type of jurisdiction?

John has been convicted of violating a federal criminal statute.Explain how John's case could reach the Supreme Court.

Of the federal courts,only the __________ is explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.

Who decides whether to appeal a case that the government has lost to the Supreme Court?

Where is the entry point for most litigation in the federal courts?

Who is in charge of the federal government's appellate court litigation?

The solicitor general handles all appeals to the Supreme Court on behalf of the __________.

If a judge believes that she should defer to the decisions made by elected representatives whenever possible,she likely believes in which of the following?

Explain the role of stare decisis in Brown v.Board of Education.

What are class action lawsuits?

What are two types of jurisdiction courts can have?

Which type of law concerns the violation of the legal rights of one individual toward another?

For a case to be heard in the Supreme Court,a minimum of how many justices must vote to hear the case?

Compare and contrast judicial restraint and judicial activism by analyzing how a proponent of each would have decided Brown v.Board of Education.

Explain why the Framers gave federal judges life tenure.Do you think life tenure for federal judges has worked well?

How many district courts are in the federal system?

In a process known as __________,presidents generally allow senators of the president's party from the state in which a judicial vacancy occurs to block the nomination.

What is common law?