Judicial Branch
The Legitimacy & Precedent
Actions of the Court
Bureaucracy
Agencies
100

This court is the only one directly established in the Constitution.

What is the Supreme Court?

100

This phrase is used b critics to accuse the court of overstepping its role by creating policy.

What is legislating from the bench?

100

I can amend the constitution rendering what ever issue is at hand unconstitutional.

What is congress?

100

I work to accomplish the goal of each department.

What are Agencies?

100

This process allows Congress to ensure the bureaucracy is implementing laws as intended.

What congressional oversight?

200

This type of jurisdiction allows a court to hear a case for the first time.

What is original jurisdiction?

200

This principle means "let the decision stand" and guides the court.

What is stare decisis?

200

When the judicial acts to establish policy intentionally and considers the effects it might have on society.

What is judicial activism?

200

The connection between the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups that strengthens the policy making process.

What is an iron triangle?

200

These meetings allow Congress to call agency directors to report on their progress and can sometimes become heated.

What are committee hearings?

300

These courts only have original jurisdiction and are where federal trials begin.

What are US. District Courts?

300

This supreme court case established that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional.

What is Brown v. Board?

300

4 supreme court justices have to agree to hear a case before it is brought before the court.

What is the rule of four?

300

system where candidates give governmental positions to friends/supporters after winning office.

What is Spoils system?

300

This power allows Congress to control the budget and funding of bureaucratic agencies. 

What is the power of the purse?

400

Most cases that reach the Supreme Court fall under this type of jurisdiction, meaning they are reviewed from lower courts.

What is appellate jurisdiction?

400

This case established the precedent of "seperate but equal" that was overturned.

What is Plessy v. Ferguson?

400

The belief that a law should only be struck down if it violates the explicit wording and laws of the Constitution.

What is judicial restraint?

400

Established in 1967 and exists to maintain all types of travel, including highway and air travel.

What is Department of Transportation?

400

This 1974 law gave Congress more control over the federal budget at the expense of presidential power.

What is the Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974?

500

This Supreme Court case established the principle that courts can declare laws unconstitutional, even though it is not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

What is Marbury v. Madison (1803)?

500

It is the only power the court has that gives it widespread impacts on citizens, despite having no power to create or enforce laws.

What is judicial review?

500

 Which official nominates judges and which governing body approves the nomination

What is the President and Congress?

500

Exists to protect Americans from terrorism and maintains control over the borders.

What is the Department of Homeland security?

500

Thus presidential power allows the bureaucracy to be directed to act according to the president's policy agenda. 

What is an executive order?