Supreme Court Justices
Civil vs. Criminal Cases
General Supreme Court
Interpreting the Constitution
Federal vs. State Courts
100
Who is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
John G. Roberts, Jr.
100
This key word indicates that a case is a civil one.
"Sue"
100
How do Supreme Court justices get their jobs?
Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation
100
What is the job of the Supreme Court?
To interpret the Constitution and other federal laws
100
What kinds of criminal cases do federal courts take?
Cases involving the violation of federal laws
200
Which Supreme Court justice has been the swing vote in numerous cases?
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy
200
In a civil case, who decides if the defendant is responsible for damages?
The judge
200
How long is a Supreme Court justice's term?
For life
200
These justices believe that the Constitution should be interpreted exactly as the Founding Fathers wrote it, or would have interpreted it.
Originalists
200
What kinds of criminal cases do state courts take?
Cases involving violations of state law
300
Name one of the two Supreme Court justices nominated by President Barack Obama.
Sonia Sotomayor or Elena Kagan
300
What is the name for the party who initiates a case?
"Plaintiff"
300
What kinds of cases do the Supreme Court typically take?
Cases of their choice that involve a federal question or diversity of citizenship issues
300
These justices believe the Constitution should be interpreted according to its underlying values, not just its words
Living Constitutionalists
300
When does federal law override state law?
Always
400
Which Supreme Court justice has served on the Court for the longest amount of time?
Justice Antonin Scalia
400
In a criminal case, who decides if the defendant is guilty of a crime?
The jury
400
What is the name for the Supreme Court's power to determine the constitutionality of a law or executive action?
"judicial review"
400
In what year was the Constitution written?
1787
400
When residents of two different states have a disagreement, what court settles their case?
Federal courts
500
Who is currently the oldest Supreme Court justice?
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
500
Judge Judy presides over this kind of court.
Civil court
500
How do cases get to the Supreme Court?
Parties appeal lower courts' rulings; the Supreme Court grants certiorari (chooses to hear them)
500
Why do Originalists like Scalia get nervous about Living Constitutionalists like Breyer?
They fear they substitute their own opinions for the law.
500
What court would hear a lawsuit involving a person being denied their right to free speech?
Federal court
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