Question 1

____________ is the authority to hear and decide cases.

Accepted Answer

Jurisdiction refers to the authority that a court or other entity has to hear and decide cases. Nullification refers to the invalidation of a law or court decision. Jurisprudence refers to the philosophy or theory of law, and litigation refers to the process of taking legal action or suing someone.

Question 2

Which of the following would likely fall under the jurisdiction of a state court?

Accepted Answer

State courts have jurisdiction over criminal trials.

Answer: B 
 Federal courts have jurisdiction over maritime cases, but they may also be heard in state courts.

Answer: C 
 Constitutional questions may be heard in both federal and state courts, depending on the nature of the question and the parties involved.

Answer: D 
 Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases where one litigant is the U.S. government, unless the case falls under the jurisdiction of a state court (such as a criminal trial).

Question 3

The Supreme Court will grant a writ of certiorari if __________ agree to do so.

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court requires at least four of the nine judges to agree to grant a writ of certiorari. This is known as the "rule of four." Therefore, only option D is correct.

Question 4

In determining whether laws or actions are constitutional, judges need to ____________.

Accepted Answer

Judges need to interpret the Constitution in order to determine whether laws or actions are constitutional. While understanding the actions and knowing the law are important factors, it is ultimately their role to interpret the Constitution in the context of the laws and actions in question.

Question 5

Whose nomination to the Supreme Court resulted from the planned push by Latino leaders for President Barack Obama to appoint a Latino justice?

Accepted Answer

Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court resulted from a push by Latino leaders for President Barack Obama to appoint a Latino justice.

Question 6

The number of federal district courts is based on ____________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The number of federal district courts is...

Question 7

With greater resources than most individuals have, __________ help(s) some individuals gain access to the courts by sponsoring their cases.

Accepted Answer

Interest groups, with their large memberships and ample funding, are often able to sponsor cases for individuals who might not otherwise be able to pursue legal action. They can provide financial support, legal expertise, and strategic guidance to help individuals gain access to the courts. The other options, such as presidential appointees, the American Bar Association, and the Department of Justice, do not typically play a role in sponsoring individual cases in this manner.

Question 8

District courts differ from courts of appeals and the Supreme Court in that district courts ____________.

Accepted Answer

District courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system where trials are conducted, unlike courts of appeals and the Supreme Court which primarily handle appeals.

Question 9

The tradition of senatorial courtesy allows for ____________.

Accepted Answer

Senatorial courtesy allows senators from the same party as the President to recommend or veto candidates for judgeships in their state. Senators from either party may recommend candidates, but it is typically only those in the President's party that have the power to veto. The tradition is based on the idea that the President should give deference to the Senators from the nominee's home state.

Question 10

Litigants who appeal to the Supreme Court normally file a petition for ______________.

Accepted Answer

A writ of certiorari is the formal petition filed by litigants who request that the Supreme Court review a lower court's decision. It is the most common way for cases to arrive at the Supreme Court. Standing to sue is a requirement to bring a legal claim, rather than a petition for Supreme Court review. A writ of habeas corpus is a request for relief from unlawful detention or imprisonment and is not typically used for appeals. The right of appeal is a general right, but to appeal to the Supreme Court requires a specific petition.

Question 11

Congress has successfully impeached fifteen judges and has removed __________.

Accepted Answer

Congress has successfully impeached fifteen judges, but only eight have been removed from office.

Question 12

Because the Supreme Court hears nearly all of its cases on appeal, it is sometimes called the ______________.

Accepted Answer

The term "ultimate appellate court" refers to a court that hears cases on appeal, which is exactly what the Supreme Court does. The other options, such as "supreme high judge" and "international criminal court," do not accurately describe the role or function of the Supreme Court.

Question 13

Who was the first woman on the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

Sandra Day O'Connor was the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan were also appointed to the Supreme Court in later years.

Question 14

Once appointed, judges serve ____________.

Accepted Answer

Judges serve for life, unless they commit "high crimes and misdemeanors." This is outlined in the U.S. Constitution, specifically Article III, Section 1, which states that judges "shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour." The idea behind this is to ensure judicial independence, as judges are not subject to political pressures or influence.

Question 15

During the Kennedy administration, in deference to southern senators, Kennedy appointed judges who supported __________.

Accepted Answer

During the Kennedy administration, the southern senators had a lot of power and influence. They were staunchly against civil rights and integration and would have opposed any judges appointed by Kennedy that were in favor of civil rights. Therefore, Kennedy appointed judges who supported segregation to appease these southern senators.

Question 16

Which of the following can hear cases and conduct trials?

Accepted Answer

District courts are the trial courts in the federal court system and have the authority to hear and conduct trials for both civil and criminal cases.

Answer: D) military courts 
 Military courts can hear and conduct trials for cases involving military personnel and cases related to the military, such as violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Courts of appeals and the Supreme Court do not conduct trials. The role of these courts is to review and decide on appeals and errors in lower court decisions.

Question 17

The primary expense in gaining access to the courts is paying for __________.

Accepted Answer

Attorneys are necessary to represent individuals and businesses in court proceedings, and their fees are often the primary expense in gaining access to the courts. While other expenses may also be incurred, such as court filings and expert witness fees, these are generally secondary to the cost of legal representation. Juror summonses are not a cost incurred by litigants, but rather by the court system.

Question 18

After nomination and confirmation, judges can be removed from the bench by ____________.

Accepted Answer

Judges can only be removed from the bench by congressional impeachment, which requires a majority vote from the House of Representatives and a two-thirds vote from the Senate. The president and the Department of Justice do not have the authority to remove judges from the bench. Congress is the only body that can remove judges through the impeachment process.

Question 19

What do liberal interest groups use as a primary tactic?

Accepted Answer

Liberal interest groups tend to prioritize litigation as a primary tactic. This involves filing lawsuits or supporting legal challenges in order to achieve their policy goals. They often see the court system as a way to challenge laws and regulations that they believe violate their values or limit their ability to influence policy.

Question 20

In which year did Congress establish the lower courts?

Accepted Answer

Congress established the lower courts with the Judiciary Act of 1789, which was signed into law by President George Washington on September 24, 1789.

Quiz 12: The Judiciary