How Courts Work
What is another name for the attorney representing the government in a criminal case?
Prosecutor
For the most part, courts will try to stay consistent in deciding similar issue. What is this called
Stare decisis
Laws that are derived from the judicial branch, when the courts interpret the law and apply it to new situations
Common law
A married couple is wanting a divorce. Will this case be heard in state or federal court?
State
What is the supreme law of the land?
The U.S. constitution
It is the duty of a federal judge to instruct the jury on the related _______ in a case.
Laws
_____ means that decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court must be followed by the federal trial and appellate courts.
Precedent
Laws that are created by the legislative branch, such as by congress
Statutory law
Your 1st amendment right to free speech has been violated. Will this case be heard in state or federal court?
Federal
The first 10 amendments to the U.S. constitution are known collectively as the
Bill of Rights
In what type of case does one party sue another for loss or damages?
Civil
True or false: the 1st amendment protects public school students engaging in non-disruptive, symbolic speech
True
What kind of jurisdiction do the federal courts have?
Limited
About how many cases does the U.S. Supreme Court review per year
75-85
At the beginning of the trial, both sides get the opportunity to give the jury an overview of the case they intend to present. What is this called
Opening statements
The person who makes an accurate record of everything that is said during the course of a trial is called the
Court reporter
When was the 14th amendment added to the constitution?
After the American Civil War in 1868
What is it called when one branch of government is able to limit, or check, the power of the other two branches, so none can be too powerful
Checks and balances
Who confirms the appointment of federal judges
The Senate
Which court is considered the “court of last resort” in the federal system
Supreme Court
Name the group of citizens that decides the facts of the case, and renders a verdict in the trial
Petit jury
Name the famous case that made public school segregation illegal
Brown V. Board of Education
The U.S. constitution created the 3 branches of government. Which article of the constitution established the judicial branch
Article III
Federal judges are protected from the influence of the other two branches of government, and from popular opinion, leaving them free to make decisions based on the law. This is called
Judicial independence
One side presents their witnesses by ___ examination. Then, the other side gets to question those
witnesses by cross examination.
Direct