The Supreme Court
A Justice decides they are too tired to work and wants to quit. Who gets to pick their replacement?
The President
A person is caught breaking into a jewelry store and stealing watches. The police arrest them. Is this Civil or Criminal?
Criminal
A famous singer signs a deal to perform at a stadium but skips the show to go to the beach. The stadium loses millions and sues. What type of case is this?
Civil
New York and New Jersey are fighting over who owns a tiny island in the Hudson River. Which court has "original jurisdiction" to hear this first?
Supreme Court
Which court case established Judicial Review?
Marbury v. Madison
Name two justices on the US Supreme Court?
Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Ketanji Brown Jackson
Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Elena Kagan
What happens if you don't like the decision of the Supreme Court?
Nothing!
When you break a law, what type of case is that?
Criminal
You are caught printing fake $100 bills in your basement. Since you are messing with national currency, which court system do you go to?
Federal Court
Sarah is 17, a US Citizen, and speaks English. Can she serve on a jury? Why or why not?
No, she must be 18
Congress passes a law saying no one under 18 can use the internet. A group of teens sues. Which power does the Court use to strike this down?
Judicial Review
What happens if a Supreme court justice does something Congress believes is against their job description?
They are impeached
Name one reason the Supreme Court might hear your case.
It will affect many people in the country
What type of court is at the lowest level of the federal system?
District Court
How does someone get on the Supreme Court?
Nominated by the President, extensive background checks, committee hearings and then vote by the Senate
You accidentally kick a soccer ball through your neighbor’s $2,000 stained-glass window and refuse to pay for it. Your neighbor sues you. Is this Civil or Criminal?
Civil Case
If someone is unhappy with the decision of their case, or feels that due process wasn't had, they can have a higher court look at it. What is the authority of the second court called?
appellate jurisdiction
The authority to be the first to hear a trial or listen to a dispute is called
original jurisdiction
A judge lets a prosecutor use a diary that was stolen without a warrant. The defendant is found guilty. What can the defendant do next? Why?
Appeal the case because it was unfair
What is judicial philosophy?
ideas and beliefs of a particular judge or justice that shapes his or her rulings on particular cases.
The Supreme Court strikes down a law that the entire country and Congress really want. Since the Court's word is final, what is the only way for the people to legally 'cancel' the Court's decision?
They need to pass a Constitutional Amendment
Name two types of cases do the federal courts hear?
Cases involving
the Constitution
Federal Law (laws passed by Congress)
Disputes between states or people from different states
Admiralty and maritime law (crimes at sea)
Federal government
Disputes with foreign gov and US diplomats
Which law established district and circuit courts at the federal level?
Judiciary Act of 1789
Before a trial begins, lawyers ask potential jurors questions to make sure they don't have a personal connection to the case. What is the goal of this process?
to ensure an impartial (fair/unbiased) jury