Question 1

Write an essay in which you outline the organization of the federal judiciary, including a discussion of types of courts and their jurisdictions.

Accepted Answer

The federal judiciary is organized into three main levels of courts: the Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeals, and the District Courts. Each level of court has its own specific jurisdiction and responsibilities within the federal judicial system.

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the federal judiciary and serves as the final authority on all legal matters. It has the power to review decisions made by lower courts and has the authority to interpret the Constitution and federal laws. The Supreme Court consists of nine justices, including a Chief Justice, and has the power to hear cases involving federal law, constitutional issues, and disputes between states.

Below the Supreme Court are the Courts of Appeals, also known as Circuit Courts. There are 13 Courts of Appeals, each covering a specific geographic region of the United States. These courts have the authority to review decisions made by District Courts and to hear appeals on federal cases. The Courts of Appeals do not hold trials or hear witnesses; instead, they review the legal arguments and decisions made by lower courts to ensure that the law was applied correctly.

At the lowest level of the federal judiciary are the District Courts. There are 94 District Courts throughout the United States, each serving a specific geographic area. These courts have original jurisdiction over most federal cases, including civil and criminal matters. District Courts are responsible for holding trials, hearing witness testimony, and making initial decisions on legal disputes. They also handle cases involving federal laws, bankruptcy, and other specialized areas of law.

In addition to these three main levels of courts, there are also specialized courts within the federal judiciary, such as the Court of International Trade, the Court of Federal Claims, and the Tax Court. These courts have specific jurisdiction over cases involving international trade, federal government claims, and tax-related disputes.

Overall, the federal judiciary is organized into a hierarchical system of courts, each with its own specific jurisdiction and responsibilities. This structure ensures that the federal judicial system can effectively handle a wide range of legal matters and provide fair and impartial justice for all.

Question 2

The organization of the federal court system is the prerogative of the President.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

In most instances, the Supreme Court's decisions are

Accepted Answer

A)  consistent with public opinion. 
B)  highly inconsistent with public opinion on social issues. 
C)  intended to bolster public support for its rulings. 
D)  less consistent with public opinion than are the actions of the president or Congress. 
E)  inconsistent with public opinion. 
A)  consistent with public opinion. 
B)  highly inconsistent with public opinion on social issues. 
C)  intended to bolster public support for its rulings. 
D)  less consistent with public opinion than are the actions of the president or Congress. 
E)  inconsistent with public opinion. A

Question 4

Of the 8,000 or so cases that are filed with the Supreme Court each term, the Court hears about

Accepted Answer

A)  100. 
B)  1,000. 
C)  2,000. 
D)  3,500. 
E)  4,000. 
A)  100. 
B)  1,000. 
C)  2,000. 
D)  3,500. 
E)  4,000.

Question 5

The power of judicial review was exercised by the Court on a regular basis until the end of the nineteenth century, and then it declined in its frequency.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

In forma pauperis is an announcement that the Supreme Court will hear a case on appeal from a lower court; its issuance requires the vote of four of the nine justices.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

According to Figure 14.3, most Supreme Court cases

Accepted Answer

A)  are original jurisdiction. 
B)  come from state courts. 
C)  come from federal courts. 
D)  move from state supreme courts then through the federal courts system. 
E)  none of the above 
A)  are original jurisdiction. 
B)  come from state courts. 
C)  come from federal courts. 
D)  move from state supreme courts then through the federal courts system. 
E)  none of the above

Question 8

Lobbying the courts is also known as

Accepted Answer

A) being unconstitutional. 
B)  filing amicus curiae briefs. 
C)  managing the courts. 
D)  written briefs. 
E)  being restricted to state courts. 
A) being unconstitutional. 
B)  filing amicus curiae briefs. 
C)  managing the courts. 
D)  written briefs. 
E)  being restricted to state courts.

Question 9

There are 94 of these federal courts and they only exercise original jurisdiction. They are

Accepted Answer

A)  District Courts. 
B)  U.S. Courts of Appeals. 
C)  U.S. Tax Courts. 
D)  National Small Claims Courts. 
E)  all of the above 
A)  District Courts. 
B)  U.S. Courts of Appeals. 
C)  U.S. Tax Courts. 
D)  National Small Claims Courts. 
E)  all of the above

Question 10

Class action suits are suits brought by an individual an behalf of a class of people who are in a similar situation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Many observers complain about judicial activism. Will judicial activism probably continue, or will it decrease in frequency? Why?

Accepted Answer

One Answer: Whether the Court moves in a

Question 12

Most cases in the federal court system are first heard in one of the 94 ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most cases in the federal court system...

Question 13

Some people argue the Supreme Court should not make law. Does it make law now?

Accepted Answer

One Answer: The Supreme Court cannot hel

Question 14

What was the result of the power of judicial review as established in Marbury v. Madison?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Supreme Court did not exercise judicial review of a congressional act for another 54 years. 
B)  The decision expanded the powers of the president beyond those outlined in Article III. 
C)  It expanded the constitutional powers granted to Congress as outlined in Article III. 
D)  It meant that the Court began striking down acts of Congress immediately, and doing so frequently. 
E)  The Congress later legislated that judicial review was beyond the power of the Court as expressed in Article III of the Constitution. 
A)  The Supreme Court did not exercise judicial review of a congressional act for another 54 years. 
B)  The decision expanded the powers of the president beyond those outlined in Article III. 
C)  It expanded the constitutional powers granted to Congress as outlined in Article III. 
D)  It meant that the Court began striking down acts of Congress immediately, and doing so frequently. 
E)  The Congress later legislated that judicial review was beyond the power of the Court as expressed in Article III of the Constitution.

Question 15

What judicial powers does the Constitution provide the federal courts?

Accepted Answer

Article III of the Constitution only men

Question 16

When did the business-oriented Supreme Court of the second period of constitutional legal history end?

Accepted Answer

A)  the beginning of the Great Depression 
B)  near the beginning of the Industrial Revolution 
C)  near the beginning of the civil rights movement 
D)  near the end of the Civil War 
E)  near the end of the Korean War 
A)  the beginning of the Great Depression 
B)  near the beginning of the Industrial Revolution 
C)  near the beginning of the civil rights movement 
D)  near the end of the Civil War 
E)  near the end of the Korean War

Question 17

Which of these is an example of a president's nominee who did NOT follow the direction the president had planned?

Accepted Answer

A) Chief Justice Warren Burger voting with a unanimous Supreme Court to override Nixon's claim of executive privilege 
B)  Chief Justice Earl Warren's move to a conservative direction regarding civil rights and criminal procedure against Eisenhower's wishes 
C)  David Souter's vote to overturn Roe v. Wade against George H.W. Bush's policy 
D)  Chief Justice Marshall's anti-Federalist leanings, which went against those of John Adams 
E)  All of the above are examples of justices who have gone against the expectations of the president who nominated them. 
A) Chief Justice Warren Burger voting with a unanimous Supreme Court to override Nixon's claim of executive privilege 
B)  Chief Justice Earl Warren's move to a conservative direction regarding civil rights and criminal procedure against Eisenhower's wishes 
C)  David Souter's vote to overturn Roe v. Wade against George H.W. Bush's policy 
D)  Chief Justice Marshall's anti-Federalist leanings, which went against those of John Adams 
E)  All of the above are examples of justices who have gone against the expectations of the president who nominated them.

Question 18

Federal district courts

Accepted Answer

A)  hear only a small portion of federal cases. 
B)  primarily exercise appellate jurisdiction. 
C)  normally use three-judge panels to hear cases. 
D)  are courts of original jurisdiction. 
E)  hear cases from state appeals courts. 
A)  hear only a small portion of federal cases. 
B)  primarily exercise appellate jurisdiction. 
C)  normally use three-judge panels to hear cases. 
D)  are courts of original jurisdiction. 
E)  hear cases from state appeals courts.

Question 19

According to Figure 14.4, who was the first Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court

Accepted Answer

A)  John Jay 
B)  John Marshall 
C)  John Rutledge 
D)  Salmon P. Chase 
E)  Earl Warren 
A)  John Jay 
B)  John Marshall 
C)  John Rutledge 
D)  Salmon P. Chase 
E)  Earl Warren

Question 20

A class action lawsuit is

Accepted Answer

A)  a case brought to force a ruling on the constitutionality of a law or executive action. 
B)  a brief filed by an interest group that describes some of the most important consequences of a potential Supreme Court decision. 
C)  a case that is appealed to a circuit court. 
D)  a suit brought by an individual on behalf of a group of other people who are in a similar situation. 
E)  any case that comes before the Supreme Court. 
A)  a case brought to force a ruling on the constitutionality of a law or executive action. 
B)  a brief filed by an interest group that describes some of the most important consequences of a potential Supreme Court decision. 
C)  a case that is appealed to a circuit court. 
D)  a suit brought by an individual on behalf of a group of other people who are in a similar situation. 
E)  any case that comes before the Supreme Court.

Write an essay in which you outline the organization of the federal judiciary, including a discussion of types of courts and their jurisdictions.

The organization of the federal court system is the prerogative of the President.

In most instances, the Supreme Court's decisions are

Of the 8,000 or so cases that are filed with the Supreme Court each term, the Court hears about

The power of judicial review was exercised by the Court on a regular basis until the end of the nineteenth century, and then it declined in its frequency.

In forma pauperis is an announcement that the Supreme Court will hear a case on appeal from a lower court; its issuance requires the vote of four of the nine justices.

According to Figure 14.3, most Supreme Court cases

Lobbying the courts is also known as

There are 94 of these federal courts and they only exercise original jurisdiction. They are

Class action suits are suits brought by an individual an behalf of a class of people who are in a similar situation.

Many observers complain about judicial activism. Will judicial activism probably continue, or will it decrease in frequency? Why?

Most cases in the federal court system are first heard in one of the 94 ________.

Some people argue the Supreme Court should not make law. Does it make law now?

What was the result of the power of judicial review as established in Marbury v. Madison?

What judicial powers does the Constitution provide the federal courts?

When did the business-oriented Supreme Court of the second period of constitutional legal history end?

Which of these is an example of a president's nominee who did NOT follow the direction the president had planned?

Federal district courts

According to Figure 14.4, who was the first Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court

A class action lawsuit is

Democracy and American Politics

The Constitution

Federalism States and Nations

Structural Foundations of the American Government

Public Opinion

News Media

Interest Groups and Business Corporations

Social Movements

Political Parties

Participation Voting, and Elections

Congress

The President

The Executive Branch

Freedom: the Struggle for Civil Liberties

Civil Rights: the Struggle for Political Equality

The Budget and Economic Policies

Social Safety Nets

Foreign Policy and National Defense

Filters

Exam 14: The Courts

Write an essay in which you outline the organization of the federal judiciary, including a discussion of types of courts and their jurisdictions.

The organization of the federal court system is the prerogative of the President.

In most instances, the Supreme Court's decisions are

Of the 8,000 or so cases that are filed with the Supreme Court each term, the Court hears about

The power of judicial review was exercised by the Court on a regular basis until the end of the nineteenth century, and then it declined in its frequency.

In forma pauperis is an announcement that the Supreme Court will hear a case on appeal from a lower court; its issuance requires the vote of four of the nine justices.

According to Figure 14.3, most Supreme Court cases

Lobbying the courts is also known as

There are 94 of these federal courts and they only exercise original jurisdiction. They are

Class action suits are suits brought by an individual an behalf of a class of people who are in a similar situation.

Many observers complain about judicial activism. Will judicial activism probably continue, or will it decrease in frequency? Why?

Most cases in the federal court system are first heard in one of the 94 ________.

Some people argue the Supreme Court should not make law. Does it make law now?

What was the result of the power of judicial review as established in Marbury v. Madison?

What judicial powers does the Constitution provide the federal courts?

When did the business-oriented Supreme Court of the second period of constitutional legal history end?

Which of these is an example of a president's nominee who did NOT follow the direction the president had planned?

Federal district courts

According to Figure 14.4, who was the first Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court

A class action lawsuit is

Democracy and American Politics

The Constitution

Federalism States and Nations

Structural Foundations of the American Government

Public Opinion

News Media

Interest Groups and Business Corporations

Social Movements

Political Parties

Participation Voting, and Elections

Congress

The President

The Executive Branch

Freedom: the Struggle for Civil Liberties

Civil Rights: the Struggle for Political Equality

The Budget and Economic Policies

Social Safety Nets

Foreign Policy and National Defense

Filters