Court System
What are the two main court systems in the United States?
Federal and state courts
Which article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch?
Article III
What constitutional principle requires state courts to follow valid federal laws when state and federal laws conflict?
Supremacy Clause
Which Supreme Court case established judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison
A person sues their neighbor for damaging their property. Is this a civil or criminal case?
Civil
What is the highest court in the United States?
U.S. Supreme Court
Which article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch?
Article III
How many justices serve on the U.S. Supreme Court?
9
Which case ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional?
Brown v. Board of Education
A person is convicted in federal district court and wants to appeal. What level of court would normally hear the appeal?
U.S. Court of Appeals
What is the difference between a civil and criminal case?
Civil cases involve disputes; criminal cases involve violations of criminal law.
What is judicial review?
The power to declare laws or government actions unconstitutional.
What is a dissenting opinion?
An opinion written by a justice who disagrees with the majority.
Which case established the right to an attorney for defendants who cannot afford one?
Gideon v. Wainwright
A Supreme Court justice agrees with the final decision but disagrees with the majority's reasoning. What type of opinion might they write?
Concurring opinion
What is the main purpose of an appellate court?
To review lower court decisions for legal errors.
Why do federal judges serve life terms?
To protect judicial independence from political pressure.
What is the purpose of a writ of certiorari?
To request the records of a lower court case the Supreme Court agrees to review.
Which case established protections requiring police to inform suspects of their rights before custodial interrogation?
Miranda v. Arizona
Police illegally search someone's home and find evidence. What legal rule might prevent that evidence from being used in court?
Exclusionary rule
What is the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction?
Original jurisdiction hears a case first; appellate jurisdiction reviews a lower court's decision.
What is the difference between judicial activism and judicial restraint?
Activism favors a more active role for courts; restraint emphasizes deferring to elected lawmakers.
What does stare decisis mean, and why is it important?
Following precedent; it helps keep court decisions consistent.
Which Supreme Court case upheld Congress's power to establish a national bank through implied powers?
McCulloch v. Maryland
A court follows an earlier Supreme Court ruling when deciding a similar case. What judicial principle is being applied?
Stare decisis (precedent)