Supreme Court Basics
What is the United States Supreme Court?
This is the highest court in the United States.
What is the U.S. Constitution?
This document is the supreme law of the United States, outlining how the government is organized and what it can do.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This 1803 case established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review, allowing it to declare laws unconstitutional.
What is the United States Supreme Court?
This is the highest court in the United States.
What is the First Amendment?
This amendment guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
What is the judicial branch?
This branch of government includes the courts and interprets the laws.
What is the Preamble?
This part of the Constitution explains its goals, beginning with the words “We the People.”
What is Plessy v. Ferguson?
In this 1896 case, the Court said “separate but equal” segregation was allowed, a decision later overturned.
What are district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court?
These are the three main levels of the federal court system
What is the Bill of Rights?
These are the first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect many individual freedoms.
What are district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court?
These are the three levels of the federal court system.
What is federalism?
This idea means that power is shared between the national (federal) government and the state governments.
What is Brown v. Board of Education?
This 1954 case ended legal school segregation, ruling that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”
Who is the Chief Justice?
This person is the head of the Supreme Court and presides when the Court is in session.
What is due process of law?
This right means the government must treat people fairly and follow clear rules before taking away life, liberty, or property.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This famous 1803 Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review.
What is popular sovereignty?
This principle means that government power comes from the people.
What is Miranda v. Arizona?
In this 1966 case, the Court said police must inform suspects of their rights, like the right to remain silent.
Who are federal judges (or Supreme Court and other Article III judges)?
These judges are appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, and usually serve for life on the federal bench
What is the Fourth Amendment?
This amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.
Who is the plaintiff?
This is the person who brings a case to court, claiming they were harmed or their rights were violated.
What is separation of powers?
This principle divides power among three branches so no one branch becomes too powerful.
What is United States v. Nixon?
In this 1974 case, the Court ruled that not even the President is above the law, and ordered President Nixon to turn over the Watergate tapes.
What is judicial review?
This term describes the power of courts to review laws and government actions and decide if they follow the Constitution.
What is equal protection under the law?
This principle means the government cannot treat people differently because of race, gender, or other protected traits without a very good reason.