Exam 4

Question 0

Criminal Cases

Answer 0

cases in which governments prosecute persons for violating laws.

Question 1

Concurring Opinion

Answer 1

an opinion written by justices that states that they agree with the majority opinion but for different reasons than those mentioned. Agrees, but for different reasons than that off the majority opinion.

Question 2

Activist Judges

Answer 2

• judges that are less concerned with showing appropriate deference and following proper procedures.
• more proactive.
• don’t believe that the power to declare laws unconstitutional is more effective if used sparingly.
• does not corrrespond to a political party

Question 3

Federal Court of Appeals

Answer 3

• there are 12
• intermediate appellate courts that hear cases that have been decided by the district courts and appealed by the losers.
• panels of 3 judges decide each case.

Question 4

Federal District Courts

Answer 4

• there are 94
• trail courts
• single judge or jury decides cases

Question 5

Civil Cases

Answer 5

cases in which persons sue others for denying them their rights and causing them harm

Question 6

Friend of the Court Briefs (amicus briefs)

Answer 6

• briefs summited by people who have an interest in the case, but unsolicited by either side.
• usually contain some kind of argument, perspective, or evidence not included in the briefs of the litigants.

Question 7

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Answer 7

• In criminal cases, defendants who have exhausted all possible appeals in the state courts may appeal to the local federal district court.
• Must show why you are holding the person-keeps you from being illegally contained indefinitely
• if the district court decides that the state courts violated the defendant’s constitutional rights, it will reverse the conviction