Deck 9: An Introduction to the Courts: History, Structure, and Actors

Question 1

Which type of court reviews only cases that were originally decided by a lower court?

A) drug court
B) juvenile court
C) courts with original jurisdiction
D) courts with appellate jurisdiction

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The general trial courts for the federal system are the

A) federal circuit courts.
B) U.S. district courts.
C) courts of appeal.
D) federal magistrates.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

All of the following types of cases would most likely be heard in federal court except:

A) a criminal case involving drug trafficking
B) a civil case involving counterfeiting
C) a criminal homicide case
D) a civil case between two states

Answer 3

C

Question 4

What is the first step in having one's case reviewed by the Supreme Court?

A) completing a writ of certification
B) filing a legal petition
C) writing an in forma pauperis brief
D) reviewing a docket

Question 5

The geographic area where the trial occurs is called the

A) venue.
B) jurisdiction.
C) locale.
D) rule.

Question 6

If a court of appeals determines that there were no errors of law made on the district court level, then the

A) case returns to the trial court.
B) defendant is convicted.
C) decision of the lower court is upheld.
D) defendant is released.

Question 7

The overall goal of the courthouse workgroup is

A) the efficient disposition of cases through the court.
B) presentation of evidence.
C) informal interaction and cooperation.
D) neutral arbitration.

Question 8

The Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison defined the power of

A) judiciary actions.
B) judicial review.
C) jurisprudence.
D) jurisdiction.

Question 9

The only federal court established by constitutional mandate rather than federal legislation is

A) the appellate court.
B) the U.S. Supreme Court.
C) town court.
D) district court.

Question 10

Which two types of courts make up the dual court system?

A) federal and state courts
B) lower courts and the Supreme Court
C) legislative and appellate courts
D) criminal and civil courts

Question 11

Which case would most likely be heard in U.S. district court?

A) underage drinking
B) car theft
C) sexual assault
D) international drug trafficking

Question 12

Which type of opinion has the most significant impact on the final decision of a Supreme Court case?

A) majority
B) concurring
C) dissenting
D) per curiam

Question 13

Which of the following is a responsibility of an appellate judge?

A) supervising the jury selection process
B) ruling on motions
C) sentencing those offenders found guilty of their crimes
D) presiding over oral arguments

Question 14

All of the following are courts of limited jurisdiction except:

A) municipal courts
B) justice courts
C) circuit courts
D) misdemeanor courts

Question 15

Currently, there are __________ circuits and __________ courts of appeal in the U.S.

A) nine, thirteen
B) thirteen, nine
C) nine, nine
D) thirteen, thirteen

Question 16

The number of justices serving on the Supreme Court is determined by

A) Congress.
B) the president of the United States.
C) Marbury v. Madison.
D) the Constitution.

Question 17

The U.S. Courts of Appeal are also called

A) district courts.
B) municipal courts.
C) intermediate appellate courts.
D) Article I courts.

Question 18

In 1789, there were __________ Supreme Court justices; whereas since 1869, there have consistently been __________ justices.

A) zero, nine
B) four, six
C) three, zero
D) six, nine

Question 19

Police courts, traffic courts, and municipal courts are typically overseen by

A) the governor.
B) the Supreme Court.
C) a prosecutor.
D) a magistrate.

Question 20

The idea that the justices should be less active in reviewing cases from the legislatures and Congress is referred to as judicial

A) restraint.
B) activism.
C) review.
D) antagonism.

Question 21

Which term best describes an effective prosecutor/police relationship?

A) preparatory
B) adversarial
C) limitless
D) interdependent

Question 22

Oral arguments and testimony of witnesses are all recorded by the court

A) bailiff.
B) clerk.
C) counsel.
D) stenographer.

Question 23

Docketing cases, collecting court fees, and arranging a jury pool are responsibilities of the court

A) bailiff.
B) clerk.
C) counsel.
D) stenographer.

Question 24

Court office is synonymous with

A) clerk.
B) judge.
C) bailiff.
D) juror.

Question 25

Under which circumstance may a judge order change of venue due to the media?

A) if there is no way a defendant can get a fair trial
B) if the media coverage is biased
C) if the media coverage is too intense
D) if there is too much public information about a case

Question 26

A defense attorney can legally do all of the following except:

A) represent the defendant's interests during the initial hearing
B) make ethical decisions
C) present false evidence
D) advocate for a light sentence

Question 27

The findings of the 1967 President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice resulted in the creation of

A) court administrators.
B) bailiffs.
C) clerks.
D) stenographers.

Question 28

Ethan is an attorney who receives state reimbursement for defending rural clients who cannot afford to pay for an attorney. Ethan is most likely a(n)

A) assigned counsel.
B) public defender.
C) state prosecutor.
D) contract counsel.

Question 29

What is the purpose of a trial court administrator?

A) to collect court fees
B) to facilitate smooth functioning of the courts
C) to supervise the jury during sequestration
D) to maintain custody of admitted evidence

Question 30

How does technology help ensure that court files are complete?

A) It enhances cost effectiveness.
B) There is a higher likelihood that security will be breeched.
C) It prevents multiple users from viewing documents simultaneously.
D) There is less chance that electronic copies will be lost, damaged, or stolen.

Question 31

A bailiff has all of the following responsibilities except:

A) announcing the verdict
B) keeping order in the courtroom
C) calling witnesses
D) preventing the escape of the accused

Question 32

Why are members of the media typically included in the courtroom workgroup?

A) They have some training, or knowledge of, the law.
B) They influence all stages of the trial.
C) They protect the right to freedom of speech.
D) They are an unbiased source of information.

Question 33

In which two states must a person be 21 years old in order to serve on a jury?

A) Mississippi and Missouri
B) California and Colorado
C) New Mexico and Nebraska
D) Idaho and Iowa

Question 34

A change of venue will mean all of the following for a trial except:

A) The case will be heard in a different location.
B) Witnesses will not be available to testify.
C) There will be different court personnel involved in the case.
D) The defendant has a better chance of receiving a fair trial.

Question 35

Who defines the duties of a magistrate judge?

A) the district court judge
B) the chief justice
C) the governor
D) the president

Question 36

Caleb is an attorney who was appointed by the president and is responsible for prosecuting federal offenses in the court system. Caleb is most likely a(n)

A) public defender.
B) U.S. attorney.
C) Supreme Court justice.
D) district attorney

Question 37

Mary is an attorney who is employed by the state or federal government to serve as legal counsel for poor defendants. Mary is a(n)

A) assigned counsel.
B) public defender.
C) state prosecutor.
D) contract counsel.

Question 38

What is the primary reason that a victim is a key player in the courtroom workgroup?

A) The victim has inherent knowledge of the defendant's guilt or innocence.
B) The trial revolves around the victim's story and evidence.
C) The victim has established relationships with most of the courtroom workgroup.
D) The victim is a member of the community served by the workgroup.

Question 39

Traditionally, court documents were submitted

A) orally.
B) electronically.
C) on paper.
D) in absentia.

Question 40

The primary goal of the defense is to

A) secure an acquittal for the defendant.
B) prove the defendant's innocence.
C) protect the public.
D) uphold the Constitution.

Question 41

All of the following are methods to provide legal assistance to indigent offenders except:

A) public defenders
B) assigned counsel
C) defense attorneys
D) contract counsel

Question 42

The Supreme Court is a court of last resort.

Question 43

All members of a community can serve on a jury.

Question 44

Assembly line justice is most common in the lower courts.

Question 45

Court clerk is synonymous with court administrator.

Question 46

Most cases reach the Supreme Court on appeal.

Question 47

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.

Question 48

The defense is the legal __________ to the prosecuting attorney.

Question 49

It is important for the victim and the judge to have a strong relationship during the trial process.

Question 50

It is illegal for jurors' perceptions of events, the defendant, and members of the courtroom to influence the jury's decision.

Question 51

The U.S. judiciary system was established in Article __________ of the U.S. Constitution.

Question 52

When the Court makes a ruling in a case, the new rule becomes a(n) __________ that must be followed by all lower courts.

Question 53

The defense is the legal counterpart to the prosecuting attorney.

Question 54

A juror may be excused from a case for listening to media coverage of that particular case.

Question 55

A conservative president will most likely nominate a __________ Supreme Court justice.

Question 56

The Supreme Court is largely a(n) __________ court.

Question 57

A case does not begin until the __________ files the charges with the court.

Question 58

The Appeals Court for the Federal Circuit has __________ jurisdiction.

Question 59

At present, technology is used in state courts only.

Question 60

In all states, jurors must be citizens of the United States.

Question 61

Why are public defenders sometimes criticized for being not as legally qualified as they should be?

Question 62

What are the two primary roles of the Supreme Court?

Question 63

Discuss the relationship between the prosecutor and other courtroom actors. Why is it important for the prosecutor to have a relationship with these actors?

Question 64

Describe the factors that may disqualify a juror from service.

Question 65

Which member of the courtroom workgroup would you choose to be and why?

Question 66

Describe the nomination and approval process for a Supreme Court justice. How may a justice's ideology and approach influence his or her court decisions?

Question 67

Define majority opinion, concurring opinion, dissenting opinion, and per curiam opinion.

Question 68

Bailiffs are usually armed __________who keep order in the courtroom.

Question 69

Briefly describe the power of judicial review.

Question 70

What is the Rule of Four?

Question 71

List the three methods to provide legal assistance to indigent offenders.

Question 72

Why is it so important that Supreme Court deliberations are kept private, without recordings or video?

Question 73

Briefly describe the findings of the 1967 President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice that prompted the creation of the role of court administrator.

Question 74

Administrators are trained personnel who assist judges in administrative and __________ functions.

Question 75

The court clerk assists the judge by performing __________duties.