Question 1

Original jurisdiction refers to:
A) the Constitution as the supreme law of the land
B) the court with the authority to hear a case first
C) the highest court with the power to overrule other courts
D) Congress's power to determine what cases the federal courts will hear
E) the president's power to appoint federal judges

Accepted Answer

Original jurisdiction refers to the court that has the authority to hear a case first, typically a trial court. This is in contrast to appellate jurisdiction, where a higher court reviews a decision made by a lower court.

Question 2

The area of authority possessed by a court,in terms of either subject area or geography,is called its:
A) appellate scope
B) judicial review
C) precedents
D) jurisdiction
E) mandate

Accepted Answer

Jurisdiction refers to the area of authority possessed by a court, whether in terms of subject matter or geographic location. Appellate scope refers to the types of cases a court can hear on appeal, judicial review refers to the power of a court to review the actions of other branches of government, precedents are legal decisions that serve as guidance for future cases, and a mandate refers to a court's order or directive.

Question 3

Trial courts in the federal judicial system are called:
A) grand juries
B) district courts
C) appellate courts
D) administrative courts
E) civil courts

Accepted Answer

District courts are trial courts in the federal judicial system. Grand juries are used to determine whether there is enough evidence to bring criminal charges against a suspect, but are not trial courts themselves. Appellate courts review decisions made by lower courts, including district courts. Administrative courts focus on regulatory issues, such as disputes over environmental, labor, or immigration policies. Civil courts handle non-criminal cases between parties seeking monetary damages or other non-criminal remedies.

Question 4

If a private individual brought a suit against a corporation for breaking a contract,what kind of law would this involve?
A) criminal
B) civil
C) public
D) plaintiff
E) common

Accepted Answer

This case would involve civil law because it is a legal dispute between a private individual and a corporation over a contract. Criminal law involves actions that are considered crimes against society as a whole, while public law pertains to the relationship between individuals and the government. Plaintiff and common are not types of law but rather legal terms referring to a party in a lawsuit and a type of legal system, respectively.

Question 5

The party that brings a complaint in court is called the ______,and the one against whom the complaint is brought is called the ______.
A) defendant; plaintiff
B) plaintiff; precedent
C) plaintiff; defendant
D) litigator; juror
E) defendant; litigator

Accepted Answer

The plaintiff is the party that brings a complaint in court, while the defendant is the one against whom the complaint is brought. Choice C correctly identifies the roles of the plaintiff and defendant in a legal case.

Question 6

What is the Uniform Commercial Code?
A) a federal law establishing common practices in each state regarding commercial affairs
B) a set of codes states may voluntarily adopt in order to reduce interstate differences in judicial opinions in contract law cases
C) judicial guidelines established by the Supreme Court explaining the meaning of federal economic regulations
D) a federal law regulating all forms of advertisements throughout the United States
E) a set of federal codes establishing common practices in each state regarding international commercial affairs

Accepted Answer

The Uniform Commercial Code is a set of codes that states may voluntarily adopt in order to reduce interstate differences in judicial opinions in contract law cases. It is not a federal law and does not specifically regulate international commercial affairs or advertisements.

Question 7

A writ of habeas corpus declares that:
A) the government must show a legal cause for holding someone in detention
B) the government cannot send a defendant to stand trial in a geographically distant jurisdiction
C) a defendant in a felony trial must receive assistance from legal council
D) capital punishment can be neither cruel nor unusual
E) the government cannot search premises without a warrant issues by a judge

Accepted Answer

A writ of habeas corpus is a legal order that requires a person who is being detained or imprisoned to be brought before a judge or court. The purpose of the writ is to ensure that the detention is not arbitrary and that there is a legal justification for the detention. Therefore, option A, which states that the government must show a legal cause for holding someone in detention, is the correct choice.

Question 8

The jurisdiction of each federal court is derived from:
A) the Constitution and federal law
B) the Supreme Court
C) state laws
D) the federal courts decide their own jurisdictions
E) the president

Accepted Answer

The jurisdiction of each federal court is derived from the Constitution and federal law, as outlined in Article III of the Constitution.

Question 9

Approximately what percentage of all court cases in the United States are heard in federal courts?
A) 1 percent
B) 5 percent
C) 10 percent
D) 30 percent
E) 55 percent

Accepted Answer

Federal courts handle a small fraction of all court cases in the United States, approximately 1 percent, as most cases are heard in state courts.

Question 10

All of the following are part of the official jurisdiction of the federal courts except:
A) treaties with other nations
B) federal statutes
C) cases involving the U.S. Constitution
D) cases involving citizens from the same state
E) any case in which the U.S. government is party

Accepted Answer

Cases involving citizens from the same state fall under the jurisdiction of state courts, not federal courts. The other options are all part of the official jurisdiction of the federal courts.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about federal courts is most accurate?
A) The federal government does not operate a court system.
B) Federal courts hear only a small fraction of all of the civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, and their decisions are rarely important because they are not allowed to interpret the Constitution or the federal laws that govern all Americans.
C) Although federal courts hear the vast majority of all civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, their decisions are rarely important because they are not allowed to interpret the Constitution or the federal laws that govern all Americans.
D) Federal courts hear the vast majority of all civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, and their decisions are extremely important because they interpret the Constitution and the federal laws that govern all Americans.
E) Although the federal courts hear only a small fraction of all of the civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, their decisions are extremely important because they interpret the Constitution and the federal laws that govern all Americans.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements about federal...

Question 12

When a case is resolved through a negotiated agreement before a full trial is completed,it is called:
A) a misdemeanor
B) a plea bargain
C) taking the Fifth
D) a writ of certiorari
E) mediation

Accepted Answer

A negotiated agreement before a full trial is completed is commonly known as a plea bargain. Option A is incorrect as a misdemeanor refers to a type of offense. Option C, taking the Fifth, refers to an individual's right to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination, which is different from resolving a case through negotiated agreement. Option D, a writ of certiorari, is a legal order for a case to be reviewed by a higher court, which is not related to resolving a case through negotiation. Option E, mediation, is a process of resolving disputes through a neutral third party, which may or may not lead to a negotiated agreement, but it is not limited to legal cases.

Question 13

The doctrine of ______ requires courts to follow authoritative prior decisions when ruling on a case.
A) stare decisis
B) habeas corpus
C) lex talions
D) ex post facto
E) a priori

Accepted Answer

Stare decisis is a legal doctrine that requires courts to adhere to precedent and make decisions based on previously established rulings. This means that courts must follow the same legal principles and apply the same laws to similar cases, even if they do not agree with the outcome. The principle of stare decisis helps to promote consistency and predictability in the legal system.

Question 14

In most circumstances,a supreme court is best described as a(n)______ court.
A) uniform
B) trial
C) advisory
D) appellate
E) elected

Accepted Answer

A supreme court is primarily an appellate court, meaning it hears appeals from lower courts rather than conducting trials or providing advisory opinions. Its role is to interpret the law and ensure consistency in legal decisions.

Question 15

The right of due process is best described as the right of:
A) everyone to appeal his trial
B) every citizen to vote
C) every person not to be treated arbitrarily by a government official or agency
D) every person to be a lawyer
E) every person to sue when they feel harmed in some way

Accepted Answer

The right of due process ensures that individuals cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without following fair and just legal procedures. It ensures that a government agency cannot act arbitrarily or capriciously in its treatment of individuals. The other options (A, B, D, and E) do not accurately describe the right of due process.

Question 16

In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff?
A) public law
B) criminal law
C) civil law
D) common law
E) tort law

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what type of law is the...

Question 17

If an individual is arrested because their home was searched by police without a legal warrant,they could argue in court that they had been denied:
A) a writ of habeas corpus
B) their Miranda rights
C) a writ of certiorari
D) judicial review
E) the due process of law

Accepted Answer

The individual could argue that they were denied the due process of law, as the police did not obtain a legal warrant before searching their home. The due process of law requires that individuals be treated fairly by the government and have certain rights protected, including the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Question 18

Prisoners who are challenging their conviction are most likely to file a writ of:
A) habeas corpus
B) certiorari
C) jurisdiction
D) stare decisis
E) challenge

Accepted Answer

Habeas corpus is a writ that allows prisoners to challenge their detention and the legitimacy of their imprisonment. It can be used to challenge the constitutionality of a law, the jurisdiction of the court, or the adequacy of legal representation. Therefore, prisoners who are challenging their conviction are most likely to file a writ of habeas corpus.

Question 19

The phrase stare decisis means:
A) "let the decision stand"
B) "the state will decide"
C) "the decision is void"
D) "the state must be decisive"
E) "the decision is made"

Accepted Answer

Stare decisis is a Latin term that means "let the decision stand." It refers to the principle that courts should follow precedent and make decisions based on prior decisions made in similar cases. Essentially, once a legal decision has been made, it should be followed in future cases with similar facts or legal issues.

Question 20

Prior cases whose principles are used by judges to decide current cases are called:
A) public law
B) en blanc decisions
C) precedents
D) common law
E) ex post facto cases

Accepted Answer

Prior cases whose principles are used by judges to decide current cases are called precedents.

Quiz 12: The Federal Courts

Original jurisdiction refers to:

The area of authority possessed by a court,in terms of either subject area or geography,is called its:

Trial courts in the federal judicial system are called:

If a private individual brought a suit against a corporation for breaking a contract,what kind of law would this involve?

The party that brings a complaint in court is called the ,and the one against whom the complaint is brought is called the .

What is the Uniform Commercial Code?

A writ of habeas corpus declares that:

The jurisdiction of each federal court is derived from:

Approximately what percentage of all court cases in the United States are heard in federal courts?

All of the following are part of the official jurisdiction of the federal courts except:

Which of the following statements about federal courts is most accurate?

When a case is resolved through a negotiated agreement before a full trial is completed,it is called:

The doctrine of ______ requires courts to follow authoritative prior decisions when ruling on a case.

In most circumstances,a supreme court is best described as a(n) ______ court.

The right of due process is best described as the right of:

In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff?

If an individual is arrested because their home was searched by police without a legal warrant,they could argue in court that they had been denied:

Prisoners who are challenging their conviction are most likely to file a writ of:

The phrase stare decisis means:

Prior cases whose principles are used by judges to decide current cases are called: