The Constitution & the Courts
Supreme Court Structure
Trials & Procedure
Rights & Liberties
Federal Courts
100

What article of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch?

What is Article III?

100

How many justices are on the U.S. Supreme Court?

what is nine?

100

In a criminal trial, who decides guilt or innocence?

What is a jury or judge?

100

Which amendment protects freedom of speech?

What is the first amendment?

100

What are the two types of lower federal courts?

What is district courts and courts of appeals?

200

What is the main job of the Judicial Branch?

What is interpreting laws? 

200

Who leads the Supreme Court?

what is the Chief Justice? 

200

What is the difference between a criminal case and a civil case?

What is A criminal case involving someone being accused of breaking a law, while a civil case deals with disputes between individuals or groups over rights or responsibilities?

200

Which amendment guarantees the right to an attorney?

What is the sixth amendment?

200

What is the main job of federal district courts?


what is to hear cases first and make decisions on the facts and law, because they have original jurisdiction?

300

Which Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review?

what is Marbury v. Madison?

300

How do Supreme Court justices get their jobs?

What is they are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate?

300

What is the written explanation of a Supreme Court decision called?

what is the Court’s opinion?

300

What Supreme Court case required police to inform suspects of their rights?

What is Miranda v. Arizona?

300

What type of jurisdiction do District Courts have?

What is original jurisdiction?

400

What does “judicial review” allow the Supreme Court to do?

What is Declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional?

400

What is the difference between the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction and its appellate jurisdiction?

What is original jurisdiction allowing the Court to hear a case first, while appellate jurisdiction allows it to review decisions made by lower courts?

400

How does the Supreme Court decide which cases to hear?

What is the writ of certiorari process?

400

Which amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures?

What is the fourth amendment?

400

What does it mean when an appellate court “remands” a case?

What is sending the case back to the lower court for retrial or further action?

500

Why did the Founders create a separate Judicial Branch?

What is to make sure laws are interpreted fairly and to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful?

500

Why does the Constitution give Supreme Court justices lifetime appointments

What is lifetime appointments protect justices from political pressure?

500

What does the “rule of four” mean?

What is at least four justices must vote to hear a case before it is placed on the case list?

500

How did the Supreme Court’s decision in Gideon v. Wainwright expand the Sixth Amendment?

What is the Court ruled that states must provide an attorney to defendants who cannot afford one, expanding the Sixth Amendment right to counsel?

500

What kind of cases fall under federal jurisdiction?

What are cases involving federal law, constitutional issues, disputes between states, or cases involving foreign governments?