Lecture 2-3 Flashcards
What is Jurisdiction?
Jurisdiction is the authority of a court to hear and decide certain cases.
What are original courts?
These courts are usually called trial courts. These courts are interested in “the facts” and render a decision or verdict.
What are appellate courts
These are often called review courts. These courts are interested in the application of the law, rather than the facts.
How do presidents nominate Supreme Court justices?
- Policy preferences
- Competence and ethics
- Political reward or support
- Judicial philosophies
What is the most important criteria for nomination of Supreme Court justices?
Policy preferences are typically the most important criteria for the nomination of Supreme Court justices.
Who is the the women who accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment?
Anita Hill
Was Clarence Thomas confirmed?
By what margin?
What court case challenged his confirmation?
Thomas was confirmed narrowly by the senate 52+48
What court case challenged Clarence Thomases confirmation?
C. Thomas v A. Hill
Clarence Thomas vs Anita Hill
What do judges who believe in judicial restraint believe?
What does this believe stress?
These justices believe that the court should defer to popular elected institutions of government.
(We should declare things unconstitutional the lease amount possible)
This view stresses majority rule.
What do judges that believe in judicial activism believe?
What does it stress?
These justices believe that the courts should be a tool to protect oppressed minority.
This view stresses minority rights.
Who controls the Discussion list and what does it control? Who else involved is important?
The law clerks are important in drafting the discussion list.
The Supreme Court Chief Justice controls the agenda of the court through the discussion list.
What is the rule of 4?
The rule of 4 is if at least 4 justices want to hear a case (99% of the time) it is accepted for Supreme Court review.
