Question 1

In most circumstances, a supreme court is best described as a(n)________ court.

Accepted Answer

A)  uniform 
B)  trial 
C)  advisory 
D)  appellate 
E)  elected 
A)  uniform 
B)  trial 
C)  advisory 
D)  appellate 
E)  elected

Question 2

Explain the basic structure of the federal judicial system. Describe the three different levels of federal courts. How are the lower courts created? What was the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

The federal judicial system in the Unite

Question 3

The issue of employer liability for employee injuries sustained at work illustrates that

Accepted Answer

A)  there are certain areas of law that courts are not allowed to adjudicate. 
B)  civil laws can only be passed through state legislatures and cannot be constructed through judicial decisions. 
C)  many areas of civil law have been constructed by judicial messages to other lawyers rather than by laws passed by legislatures. 
D)  individuals need not have standing to sue in federal court. 
E)  mootness is not an important consideration in civil law cases. 
A)  there are certain areas of law that courts are not allowed to adjudicate. 
B)  civil laws can only be passed through state legislatures and cannot be constructed through judicial decisions. 
C)  many areas of civil law have been constructed by judicial messages to other lawyers rather than by laws passed by legislatures. 
D)  individuals need not have standing to sue in federal court. 
E)  mootness is not an important consideration in civil law cases.

Question 4

Marbury v. Madison was decided in ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  1789 
B)  1803 
C)  1861 
D)  1911 
E)  1938 
A)  1789 
B)  1803 
C)  1861 
D)  1911 
E)  1938

Question 5

Trial courts in the federal judicial system are called ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  grand juries 
B)  district courts 
C)  appellate courts 
D)  administrative courts 
E)  civil courts 
A)  grand juries 
B)  district courts 
C)  appellate courts 
D)  administrative courts 
E)  civil courts

Question 6

What are some of the different types of judicial philosophy in how to interpret the law? Outline the theories of judicial restraint and judicial activism. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each theory? Explain.

Accepted Answer

There are several different types of jud

Question 7

All of the following are part of the official jurisdiction of the federal courts EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  treaties with other nations. 
B)  federal statutes. 
C)  cases involving the U.S. Constitution. 
D)  cases involving citizens of more than one state where less than $75,000 is at stake. 
E)  any case in which the U.S. government is party. 
A)  treaties with other nations. 
B)  federal statutes. 
C)  cases involving the U.S. Constitution. 
D)  cases involving citizens of more than one state where less than $75,000 is at stake. 
E)  any case in which the U.S. government is party.

Question 8

Which of the following kinds of cases are not likely to be accepted by the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cases in which the federal government is an appellant. 
B)  Cases that address state laws but that do not raise constitutional issues. 
C)  Cases that raise important questions about civil rights. 
D)  Cases that involve conflicting decisions by federal circuit courts. 
E)  Cases that raise important questions about civil liberties. 
A)  Cases in which the federal government is an appellant. 
B)  Cases that address state laws but that do not raise constitutional issues. 
C)  Cases that raise important questions about civil rights. 
D)  Cases that involve conflicting decisions by federal circuit courts. 
E)  Cases that raise important questions about civil liberties.

Question 9

Analyze the exercise of judicial review. What is judicial review, what are its origins, and why is it often so controversial? What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803)? Provide some examples of notable uses of judicial review in Supreme Court history.

Accepted Answer

Judicial review is the power of the cour

Question 10

The area of authority possessed by a court, in terms of either subject area or geography, is called its ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  appellate scope 
B)  judicial review 
C)  precedent 
D)  jurisdiction 
E)  mandate 
A)  appellate scope 
B)  judicial review 
C)  precedent 
D)  jurisdiction 
E)  mandate

Question 11

Which of the following statements about federal courts is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  The federal government does not operate a court system. 
B)  Federal courts hear only a small fraction of all of the civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, and their decisions are rarely important because they are not allowed to interpret the Constitution or the federal laws that govern all Americans. 
C)  Although federal courts hear the vast majority of all civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, their decisions are rarely important because they are not allowed to interpret the Constitution or the federal laws that govern all Americans. 
D)  Federal courts hear the vast majority of all civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, and their decisions are extremely important because they interpret the Constitution and the federal laws that govern all Americans. 
E)  Although the federal courts hear only a small fraction of all of the civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, their decisions are extremely important because they interpret the Constitution and the federal laws that govern all Americans. 
A)  The federal government does not operate a court system. 
B)  Federal courts hear only a small fraction of all of the civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, and their decisions are rarely important because they are not allowed to interpret the Constitution or the federal laws that govern all Americans. 
C)  Although federal courts hear the vast majority of all civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, their decisions are rarely important because they are not allowed to interpret the Constitution or the federal laws that govern all Americans. 
D)  Federal courts hear the vast majority of all civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, and their decisions are extremely important because they interpret the Constitution and the federal laws that govern all Americans. 
E)  Although the federal courts hear only a small fraction of all of the civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, their decisions are extremely important because they interpret the Constitution and the federal laws that govern all Americans.

Question 12

If someone is an advocate of the philosophy of judicial restraint, he or she believes

Accepted Answer

A)  in looking only at the words of the Constitution in order to understand its meaning. 
B)  that the Court should beware of overturning the judgments of popularly elected legislatures. 
C)  that the meaning of the law tends to evolve over time. 
D)  the Court should go beyond the words of the Constitution or a statute to consider the broader societal implications of its decisions. 
E)  that judges should consider legal questions rather than deciding political matters. 
A)  in looking only at the words of the Constitution in order to understand its meaning. 
B)  that the Court should beware of overturning the judgments of popularly elected legislatures. 
C)  that the meaning of the law tends to evolve over time. 
D)  the Court should go beyond the words of the Constitution or a statute to consider the broader societal implications of its decisions. 
E)  that judges should consider legal questions rather than deciding political matters.

Question 13

Which of the following statements best describes the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

A)  The justices have no discretion whatsoever to decide which cases they will hear because their jurisdiction is defined entirely by the Constitution. 
B)  The justices have limited discretion to decide which cases they will hear and they are forced to hear many cases that address only narrow, technical issues of federal law. 
C)  The justices have limited discretion to decide which cases they will hear, and they are forced to hear only those cases that raise the most important issues of federal law. 
D)  The justices have broad latitude to decide which cases they will hear and generally hear only those cases they deem to raise the most important issues. 
E)  The justices have broad latitude to decide which cases they will hear and generally avoid those cases that they deem to raise the most important issues. 
A)  The justices have no discretion whatsoever to decide which cases they will hear because their jurisdiction is defined entirely by the Constitution. 
B)  The justices have limited discretion to decide which cases they will hear and they are forced to hear many cases that address only narrow, technical issues of federal law. 
C)  The justices have limited discretion to decide which cases they will hear, and they are forced to hear only those cases that raise the most important issues of federal law. 
D)  The justices have broad latitude to decide which cases they will hear and generally hear only those cases they deem to raise the most important issues. 
E)  The justices have broad latitude to decide which cases they will hear and generally avoid those cases that they deem to raise the most important issues.

Question 14

What was the Supreme Court's ruling in 1948 regarding restrictive covenants?

Accepted Answer

A)  It was illegal for homeowners to discriminate in sales contracts. 
B)  It was acceptable for private contracts to have discriminatory provisions. 
C)  Individuals had the right to discriminate in private contracts, but courts could not enforce these contracts. 
D)  Only state supreme courts had the authority to rule on the legality of restrictive covenants. 
E)  Only the U.S. Supreme Court had the authority to rule on the legality of restrictive covenants. 
A)  It was illegal for homeowners to discriminate in sales contracts. 
B)  It was acceptable for private contracts to have discriminatory provisions. 
C)  Individuals had the right to discriminate in private contracts, but courts could not enforce these contracts. 
D)  Only state supreme courts had the authority to rule on the legality of restrictive covenants. 
E)  Only the U.S. Supreme Court had the authority to rule on the legality of restrictive covenants.

Question 15

________ is designed to protect federal judges from political pressure by granting them life tenure.

Accepted Answer

A)  The Judiciary Act of 1789 
B)  Article III of the U.S. Constitution 
C)  Article I of the U.S. Constitution 
D)  The First Amendment 
E)  The Judicial Tenure Act of 1891 
A)  The Judiciary Act of 1789 
B)  Article III of the U.S. Constitution 
C)  Article I of the U.S. Constitution 
D)  The First Amendment 
E)  The Judicial Tenure Act of 1891

Question 16

There are ________ circuits in the United States Court of Appeals.

Accepted Answer

A)  4 
B)  8 
C)  12 
D)  16 
E)  20 
A)  4 
B)  8 
C)  12 
D)  16 
E)  20

Question 17

In recent years, federal court appointments have

Accepted Answer

A)  been characterized by strict neutrality on the part of Congress. 
B)  attracted very little attention from the media and special interest groups. 
C)  been characterized by intense partisan and ideological efforts to support or defeat the candidate. 
D)  been unaffected by ideological concerns. 
E)  been confirmed very quickly. 
A)  been characterized by strict neutrality on the part of Congress. 
B)  attracted very little attention from the media and special interest groups. 
C)  been characterized by intense partisan and ideological efforts to support or defeat the candidate. 
D)  been unaffected by ideological concerns. 
E)  been confirmed very quickly.

Question 18

What did the justices rule in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action (2014)?

Accepted Answer

A)  A Michigan ballot initiative that resulted in a ban on racial preferences in college admissions was constitutional. 
B)  A Nebraska ballot initiative that resulted in strict gun control laws was constitutional. 
C)  An Indiana ballot initiative establishing education vouchers was constitutional. 
D)  A Maine ballot initiative banning the harvesting of lobsters was constitutional. 
E)  A Virginia ballot initiative that rejected the Affordable Care Act was constitutional. 
A)  A Michigan ballot initiative that resulted in a ban on racial preferences in college admissions was constitutional. 
B)  A Nebraska ballot initiative that resulted in strict gun control laws was constitutional. 
C)  An Indiana ballot initiative establishing education vouchers was constitutional. 
D)  A Maine ballot initiative banning the harvesting of lobsters was constitutional. 
E)  A Virginia ballot initiative that rejected the Affordable Care Act was constitutional.

Question 19

The solicitor general is the

Accepted Answer

A)  top-ranking official in the Department of Justice. 
B)  second-ranking official in the Department of Justice. 
C)  third-ranking official in the Department of Justice. 
D)  top-ranking official in the American Bar Association. 
E)  top-ranking official in the FBI. 
A)  top-ranking official in the Department of Justice. 
B)  second-ranking official in the Department of Justice. 
C)  third-ranking official in the Department of Justice. 
D)  top-ranking official in the American Bar Association. 
E)  top-ranking official in the FBI.

Question 20

The right of due process is best described as the right of

Accepted Answer

A)  everyone to appeal his trial. 
B)  every citizen to vote. 
C)  every person not to be treated arbitrarily by a government official or agency. 
D)  every person to be a lawyer. 
E)  every person to sue when he or she feels harmed in some way. 
A)  everyone to appeal his trial. 
B)  every citizen to vote. 
C)  every person not to be treated arbitrarily by a government official or agency. 
D)  every person to be a lawyer. 
E)  every person to sue when he or she feels harmed in some way.

In most circumstances, a supreme court is best described as a(n)________ court.

Explain the basic structure of the federal judicial system. Describe the three different levels of federal courts. How are the lower courts created? What was the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?

The issue of employer liability for employee injuries sustained at work illustrates that

Marbury v. Madison was decided in ________.

Trial courts in the federal judicial system are called ________.

What are some of the different types of judicial philosophy in how to interpret the law? Outline the theories of judicial restraint and judicial activism. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each theory? Explain.

All of the following are part of the official jurisdiction of the federal courts EXCEPT

Which of the following kinds of cases are not likely to be accepted by the Supreme Court?

Analyze the exercise of judicial review. What is judicial review, what are its origins, and why is it often so controversial? What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803)? Provide some examples of notable uses of judicial review in Supreme Court history.

The area of authority possessed by a court, in terms of either subject area or geography, is called its ________.

Which of the following statements about federal courts is most accurate?

If someone is an advocate of the philosophy of judicial restraint, he or she believes

Which of the following statements best describes the Supreme Court?

What was the Supreme Court's ruling in 1948 regarding restrictive covenants?

________ is designed to protect federal judges from political pressure by granting them life tenure.

There are ________ circuits in the United States Court of Appeals.

In recent years, federal court appointments have

What did the justices rule in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action (2014)?

The solicitor general is the

The right of due process is best described as the right of

American Political Culture

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

Political Participation and Voting

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Groups and Interests

Congress

The Presidency

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

Government and the Economy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy and Democracy

Filters

Exam 15: The Federal Courts

In most circumstances, a supreme court is best described as a(n)________ court.

Explain the basic structure of the federal judicial system. Describe the three different levels of federal courts. How are the lower courts created? What was the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?

The issue of employer liability for employee injuries sustained at work illustrates that

Marbury v. Madison was decided in ________.

Trial courts in the federal judicial system are called ________.

What are some of the different types of judicial philosophy in how to interpret the law? Outline the theories of judicial restraint and judicial activism. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each theory? Explain.

All of the following are part of the official jurisdiction of the federal courts EXCEPT

Which of the following kinds of cases are not likely to be accepted by the Supreme Court?

Analyze the exercise of judicial review. What is judicial review, what are its origins, and why is it often so controversial? What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803)? Provide some examples of notable uses of judicial review in Supreme Court history.

The area of authority possessed by a court, in terms of either subject area or geography, is called its ________.

Which of the following statements about federal courts is most accurate?

If someone is an advocate of the philosophy of judicial restraint, he or she believes

Which of the following statements best describes the Supreme Court?

What was the Supreme Court's ruling in 1948 regarding restrictive covenants?

________ is designed to protect federal judges from political pressure by granting them life tenure.

There are ________ circuits in the United States Court of Appeals.

In recent years, federal court appointments have

What did the justices rule in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action (2014)?

The solicitor general is the

The right of due process is best described as the right of

American Political Culture

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

Political Participation and Voting

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Groups and Interests

Congress

The Presidency

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

Government and the Economy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy and Democracy

Filters