Exam 14: The Courts

Which type of case represents over 75 percent of all cases heard in the 94 federal district courts?

When the federal government is a party to a Supreme Court case, the __________ or one of his or her deputies presents the oral arguments.

Describe the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction.

To which of the following does Article III give the power to create inferior federal courts?

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

__________ confers authority to bring legal action because one is directly affected by the issues at hand.

Which of the following is an opinion written by a justice in the majority that outlines additional considerations he or she thinks are important?

In court rulings, reliance on past decisions to formulate decisions in new cases is known as which of the following?

What are the two types of jurisdiction courts can have?

How are nominees to the federal district courts selected?

Which of the following limits judicial power?

The district courts are appellate courts.

Litigants have an automatic right of appeal to the Supreme Court.

Who attempted to expand the number of Supreme Court justices in 1937?

What are amicus curiae briefs and what purpose do they serve? Why would a party want to be amicus curiae in a case?

The Supreme Court sometimes changes the definition of standing to make access for a __________ easier or more difficult.

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

All federal judicial nominations are first referred to which of the following for a hearing?

Who is generally considered to be the swing vote on the Roberts Court?

Proponents of which of the following believe that judges should use their power broadly to further justice?