Supreme Court
What is the supreme court's purpose?
To interpret the constitution ensuring laws and government actions follow it. Standing as the final court.
What is the Chief Justice?
Head of supreme court
What is the highest ranking court?
Supreme Court
what is the main job of the judicial branch?
To interpret laws and if they violate the constitution
What are district courts?
Lowest level court and are first to hear cases
How many people are in the supreme court and what are their titles?
9 members (8 justices 1 Chief Justice
How many justices in supreme court?
9
District Courts
who is responsible for selecting supreme court justices?
The president and majority vote of the Senate
What is Judicial Review?
The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.
What powers does the supreme court have
Judicial review, Hears appeals from lower courts, Hears certain cases first like disputes between states.
What are district court judges?
Judges who interpret and apply the law in federal trial courts.
What courts review decisions made by the district court?
Court of Appeals
How do most cases reach the supreme court?
Through appeals from lower courts (writ of certiorari)
What is judicial restraint?
The principle that judges should limit their power and interpret the Constitution to reflect what the framers intended and what its words literally say
What some checks are there on the supreme court?
Congress can amend constitution, overriding supreme court decisions. Congress can impeach/remove justices
What is an appellate judge?
The judge that reviews lower court decisions for legal mistakes.
What court handles most criminal cases in the US?
State Courts
What is the term called when at least 4 supreme court justices have to agree for a case to be heard?
The rule of four
What did marbury v madison establish?
This case established judicial review.
What does the outcome of Supreme Court cases mean for the future
Its decisions set ultimate meaning of constitutional law and guides all lower courts.
What is stare decisis?
A principle that encourages justices to honor precedent cases.
How many federal court of appeals are there in the US?
13
How does the supreme court come to a final decision?
Oral arguments/briefs, conference discussion, voting, writing opinion
What is original jurisdiction?
A court's power to hear a case first, before any other court, acting as the initial trial court rather than reviewing an appeal from a lower court