Chapter 1

Question 1

Jurisdiction

Answer 1

The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

Question 2

Original Jurisdiction

Answer 2

The power to hear a case for the first time

Question 3

Appellate Jurisdiction

Answer 3

When a court has the power to review a lower court’s decision

Question 4

Judicial Review

Answer 4

Review by the US Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of a legislative act

Question 5

Constitutional Court

Answer 5

A high court that deals primarily with constitutional law (main authority is to rule on whether laws that are challenged are in fact unconstitutional)

Question 6

Legislative Court

Answer 6

Article I Courts set up by Congress to review agency decisions, military courts-martial appeal courts, or administrative agencies and administrative law judges

Question 7

Constitutional Powers of the Supreme Court

Answer 7

The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority

Question 8

US District Courts

Answer 8

• Original Jurisdiction
• deals with federal crimes, civil suits between states and federal laws
• 91 court districts

Question 9

US Court of Appeals

Answer 9

• Reviews decisions of district courts
• Reviews and enforces orders of regulatory commissions
• NO trials

Question 10

US Supreme Court

Answer 10

• 9 judges appointed by the president and approved by the senate (judicial review)
• Ensures uniformity in interpretation of laws
• Takes big cases

Question 11

US Court of Military appeals

Answer 11

Exercises world-wide appellate jurisdiction over court-martial cases involving U.S. military personnel (ex: constitutional law, criminal law, evidence, administrative law, and national security law)

Question 12

US Court of Claims

Answer 12

United States federal court that hears monetary claims against the U.S. government

Question 13

US Tax Court

Answer 13

A specialized court of law that hears and adjudicates tax-related disputes and issues

Question 14

US Court of International Trade

Answer 14

A U.S. federal court that provides judicial review of civil actions arising out of import transactions and federal laws concerning international trade matters

Question 15

Judicial Restraint

Answer 15

A theory of judicial interpretation that encourages judges to limit the exercise of their own power. (judges should not strike down laws unless they are obviously unconstitutional)

Question 16

Conference (Judicial)

Answer 16

Created by Congress with the principal objective of framing policy guidelines for administration of judicial courts in the United States

Question 17

Rule of Four

Answer 17

Supreme Court of the United States practice that permits four of the nine justices to grant a writ of certiorari

Question 18

Writ of Certiorari

Answer 18

The order of a higher court to a lower court to send all the documents in a case to it so the higher court can review the lower court’s decision

Question 19

Brief (Judicial)

Answer 19

A written legal document used in various legal systems that is presented to a court arguing why one party to a particular case should prevail

Question 20

Amicus Curiae Brief

Answer 20

A brief presented by someone interested in influencing the outcome of a lawsuit but who is not a party to it

Question 21

Stare Decisios

Answer 21

A policy of following rules or principles laid down in previous judicial decisions

Question 22

Selective Incorporation

Answer 22

A constitutional doctrine that ensures states cannot enact laws that take away the constitutional rights of American citizens that are in the Bill of Rights

Question 23

Standing (Judicial)

Answer 23

The legal right to initiate a lawsuit

Question 24

In Forma Pauperis

Answer 24

Allowing a poor person to bring suit without liability for the costs of the suit

Question 25

Supreme Court Demographics

Answer 25

• 9 Judges

- Mostly white men, other genders and ethnicities were not represented

Question 26

Supreme Court Nomination

Answer 26

-Most Presidents nominate individuals who broadly share their ideological views

Question 27

Supreme Court Litmus Test

Answer 27

A question asked of a potential candidate for high office, the answer to which would determine whether the nominating official would proceed with the appointment or nomination

Question 28

Grassroot Lobbying

Answer 28

The act of asking the general public to contact legislators and government officials concerning the issue at hand, as opposed to conveying the message to the legislators directly

Question 29

Rating Candidates

Answer 29

Rating of a person who seeks an office

Question 30

Senatorial Courtesy

Answer 30

A custom whereby presidential appointments are confirmed only if there is no objection to them by the senators from the appointee’s state

Question 31

Judicial Activists

Answer 31

When judges deny legislators or the executive the power to do something unconstitutional

Question 32

Class Action Suits

Answer 32

A lawsuit that allows a large number of people with a common interest in a matter to sue or be sued as a group.

Question 33

Solicitor General

Answer 33

The law officer directly below the attorney general in the US Department of Justice, responsible for arguing cases before the US Supreme Court

Question 34

Statutory Construction

Answer 34

The process of determining what a particular statute means so that a court may apply it accurately (a written law passed by a legislative body)

Question 35

Standing to Sue

Answer 35

A limit on the role of the judiciary and the law of Article III standing is built on the idea of separation of powers

Question 36

Original Intent

Answer 36

A theory in law concerning constitutional and enacted interpretation

Question 37

John Marshall

Answer 37

The fourth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. His court opinions helped lay the basis for United States constitutional law

Question 38

Warren Court

Answer 38

Refers to the Supreme Court of the United States between 1953 and 1969, when Earl Warren served as Chief Justice.

Question 39

Burger Court

Answer 39

The US supreme court under Chief Justice Warren Burger (1969- 1986) maintained most of the rights expanded by its predecessor and issued important rulings on abortion and sexual discrimination

Question 40

Rehnquist Court

Answer 40

US Supreme Court under Chief Justice William Rehnquist (1986-2005); a conservative court, but one that did not overturn most previous rulings