History SC Quiz 11-3-22

Question 1

Explain the Dual Structure of the American Court System.

Answer 1

Federal Court System:
U.S. District Courts (appeal) → U.S. Courts of Appeal (appeal) → The United States Supreme Court

State Court System:
Trial Courts (appeal) → Intermediate Appellate (appeal) → Highest State Court

State Highest Court → U.S. Court of Appeal
Highest State Court → The United States Supreme Court

Question 2

How are Supreme Court Decisions made?

Answer 2

Case on the Docket → Read the Briefs and Amicus Briefs → Oral Arguments → Justices Conference → Opinions Drafted and Circulated → Opinions Announced (June)

Question 3

The Supreme Court listens to cases:

Answer 3

• There must a Constitutional Principle involved
• Usually it’s a conflict between state and federal laws

Question 4

Rule of Four?

Answer 4

If at least four of the justices vote to take on the case, the case would go on document.

Question 5

Justices’ (last) names

Answer 5

John Roberts (Chief Justice)
Clarence Thomas
Ketanji Brown Jackson
Sonia Sotomayor
Neil Gorsuch

Question 6

Judicial Review?

Answer 6

The power of a court to decide if a law or other legal issue violates the Constitution, and overturn it.

Question 7

Judicial Restraint?

Answer 7

Court says that states could do their thing (the state’s decision).

Question 8

Judicial Activism?

Answer 8

When the Court tends to take a more on/active role in deciding what’s going on in the states.