Question 1

What is the difference between criminal cases and civil cases? Why do these differences exist? Should these differences exist? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between criminal cases...

Question 2

The most direct action the Supreme Court can take to gain compliance is to:

Accepted Answer

Issuing narrowly written opinions on visible cases can have a direct impact on compliance as it sets clear and specific guidelines for future actions while also avoiding political consequences that may arise from broad or vague opinions. This can create a precedent that actors in the government can follow and limit their ability to deviate from the court's ruling.

Question 3

Explain the structure of the federal judicial system. How many different levels of courts are there? How are they structured so that they cover the entire nation? What types of cases are encountered at each level? Which ones do the most work?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the structure of the federal judicial...

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a way that Congress can check the power of the courts?

Accepted Answer

Congress does not have the power to refuse to enforce a court decision; enforcement is typically the responsibility of the executive branch.

Question 5

In his book The Hollow Hope, political scientist Gerald Rosenberg argues that the courts can almost never produce significant social reform. Do you agree or disagree with Rosenberg? Use examples to support your argument.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In his book The Hollow Hope, political...

Question 6

A president can counter the influence of a Court decision by:

Accepted Answer

The president can influence the enforcement of a Court decision by not allocating the necessary resources, as the executive branch is responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.

Question 7

What criteria are used to determine when the Supreme Court will hear a case that appeals for a writ of certiorari? To what degree do the political views of the justices play a role here? What impact does this have on the role of the Supreme Court in our political system?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What criteria are used to determine when...

Question 8

In Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Warren Court moved aggressively to protect minority rights even though its actions were opposed by many state legislatures. The Warren Court's ruling in Brown is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The Warren Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education was a clear example of judicial activism, where the Court went beyond legal precedent and interpreted the Constitution to protect minority rights. This decision was opposed by many state legislatures and was a strategic move by the Court to promote equality and justice.

Question 9

Why did Brown v. Board of Education eventually lead to school desegregation?

Accepted Answer

Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy used federal authority, including federalizing the National Guard, to enforce the Supreme Court's ruling, ensuring school desegregation.

Question 10

What legal and political factors influence the decisions that Supreme Court justices make? Given your depiction of the judicial decision-making process, what do you see as the strengths and benefits of having a Supreme Court such as ours in the American system?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What legal and political factors influence the...

Question 11

The Supreme Court waited two years to issue its opinion in Brown v. Board of Education because:

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court waited two years to issue its opinion in Brown v. Board of Education because it was sensitive to how the public would react to its decision. The justices were aware that the ruling would be controversial and feared that a hastily issued opinion would undermine the legitimacy of the Court. Therefore, they took the time to carefully craft the decision and build support for it before releasing it to the public.

Question 12

Describe the process of appealing a case to the Supreme Court up to the point at which the Court issues a majority opinion. Explain each step, identifying important rules that the Supreme Court follows and noting the important actors.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the process of appealing a case...

Question 13

The image of Justice as a blindfolded woman holding a set of scales is:

Accepted Answer

While the image of Justice as a blindfolded woman holding a set of scales is often used as a symbol of the fair and impartial nature of the justice system, in reality, politics and other factors still affect the selection and decisions of judges. This means that the image is somewhat misleading and not entirely accurate.

Question 14

Who is responsible for enforcing most court decisions?

Accepted Answer

The president, as the head of the executive branch, is responsible for enforcing court decisions.

Question 15

How does the Supreme Court gain compliance with the decisions it issues?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does the Supreme Court gain compliance...

Question 16

What is the role of partisanship and politics in nominations to the federal judiciary? Does knowing a judge's partisanship tell us very much about how the judge will behave on the bench? Do you think the process is too political? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the role of partisanship and...

Question 17

Marbury v. Madison (1803) is widely believed to be the most important Supreme Court case in American history. What was this case about? Why is it that no matter what specific party to the case won, Chief Justice John Marshall would lose? How did he turn it to his advantage? Why does that make it the most important case in American history?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Marbury v. Madison (1803) is widely believed...

Question 18

When the Supreme Court refuses to take actions that are outside of the judicial domain and should be decided by elected officials, they are avoiding what are known as:

Accepted Answer

When the Supreme Court avoids taking actions that are outside the judicial domain and should be decided by elected officials, it is avoiding political questions. The political question doctrine is a concept developed by the courts to avoid deciding cases that involve a political question that should be resolved through political processes rather than the courts.

Question 19

The federal government and most of the states operate under a system of "common law." Define this term as well as the notion of "precedent." What role does precedent play in judicial decision making? How does this type of system create opportunities for the judicial system to be a political institution?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The federal government and most of the...

Question 20

How involved do you think the Supreme Court should be in protecting minority rights? Compare and contrast judicial activism and restraint. Then, drawing on your knowledge of American government, justify your position.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How involved do you think the Supreme...

Quiz 14: The Courts