All About Elections

Question 1

What is the role of the Judicial Branch?

Answer 1

To interpret and define law. Hear individual cases and decide how the law should apply.

Question 2

How many systems of Judicial Courts does the United States have?

Answer 2

We have 2 tiered systems of courts called the Federal Courts and the State Courts.

Question 3

What is a federal court?

Answer 3

A federal court handles criminal and civil cases involving federal or constitutional law.

Question 4

What is a state court?

Answer 4

A state court handles criminal and civil cases involving state laws.

Question 5

What is a criminal case?

Answer 5

A criminal case is when the government or state charges an individual for violating one or more laws.

Question 6

What is a civil case?

Answer 6

A civil case is when a government or state has to resolve a dispute between two parties.

Question 7

What is jurisdiction?

Answer 7

Jurisdiction is the authority of a court to hear a case. It’s where that case begins.

Question 8

What are the four types of jurisdiction?

Answer 8

Executive, concurrent, original, and appellate jurisdiction.

Question 9

What is executive jurisdiction?

Answer 9

Executive jurisdiction is when only the federal court has the authority to hear a case.

Question 10

What is concurrent jurisdiction?

Answer 10

Concurrent Jurisdiction is when a federal or state court could hear a case.

Question 11

What original jurisdiction?

Answer 11

Original jurisdiction is when a court is the first one to hear a case.

Question 12

What is appellate jurisdiction?

Answer 12

Appellate jurisdiction is when a court can only hear a case on an appeal.

Question 13

Which court has original jurisdiction?

Answer 13

U.S. District Courts.

Question 14

Which court has appellate jurisdiction?

Answer 14

U.S. Court of Appeals.

Question 15

Which court has appellate and original jurisdiction?

Answer 15

The Supreme Court.

Question 16

What are the three U.S. federal Courts?

Answer 16

Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Court.

Question 17

What is the federal supreme court?

Answer 17

Highest Court in the Federal System. There are nine judges in D.C.

Question 18

What is the Federal Court of Appeals?

Answer 18

Intermediate level in the Federal Court System. There are 12 regional circuit courts, Maryland is number 4.

Question 19

What is the federal district court?

Answer 19

The lowest level in the federal court system. 94 judicial districts. There are 89 district courts in continental states.

Question 20

What are the four Maryland state courts?

Answer 20

Appeals, Special Appeals, Circuit, and district.

Question 21

What is the Maryland district court?

Answer 21

Minor civil cases and petty crimes. Traffic and motor vehicle cases.

Question 22

What is the Maryland circuit court?

Answer 22

Has appellate jurisdiction over all appeal cases from District Court. This court handles civil and criminal cases.

Question 23

What is the Maryland special appeals court?

Answer 23

You go here if you don’t like the decision that the district and circuit court made.

Question 24

What is the Maryland appeals court?

Answer 24

Is the state’s supreme court. If you don’t like the decision that any of the courts made, you go to appeals.

Question 25

What is a plaintiff?

Answer 25

When one person brings a case against another person in a court of law.

Question 26

What is a defendant?

Answer 26

An individual, group of people or a company sued or accused of a crime in the court of law.

Question 27

What is judicial restraint?

Answer 27

Is a belief that judges should restrain themselves from striking down laws, or declaring them unconstitutional unless there is a clear conflict with the Constitution.

Question 28

What is a precedent?

Answer 28

A case or law that came before a case helps a judge guide them on their final decision.

Question 29

What is a Writ of certiorari?

Answer 29

A writ of certiorari orders a lower court to deliver its records in a case to a higher court so that the higher court may view it.

Question 30

What is a concurring opinion?

Answer 30

A concurring opinion is an opinion that agrees with the majority opinion but does not agree with the reasoning or rationale behind the opinion.

Question 31

What is a dissenting opinion?

Answer 31

A dissenting opinion is a judge’s or group of judges’ disagreement with the majority of the judges’ decision or opinion.