Ch 4 Test

Question 1

Judicial Branch

Answer 1

The branch of government that interprets laws and ensures they are applied fairly under the Constitution.

Question 2

Article III

Answer 2

The section of the Constitution that establishes the Judicial Branch and the Supreme Court.

Question 3

Court System Creation

Answer 3

The Legislative Branch (Congress) created the lower federal courts.

Question 4

“Innocent Until Proven Guilty”

Answer 4

A legal principle that places the burden of proof on the prosecution; the accused doesn’t have to prove their innocence.

Question 5

Equal Justice for All

Answer 5

The concept that everyone, regardless of background, receives fair treatment under the law.

Question 6

Federal Courts

Answer 6

Three-tiered system: U.S. District Courts (trial), U.S. Courts of Appeals (appellate), and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Question 7

State Courts

Answer 7

Similar structure to federal, but handle state law. Includes trial courts, intermediate appellate courts, and state supreme courts.

Question 8

District Courts

Answer 8

Lowest level of the federal system; hold trials and have original jurisdiction.

Question 9

Courts of Appeals

Answer 9

Review decisions from lower courts; do not hold trials.

Question 10

Supreme Court of the U.S. (SCOTUS)

Answer 10

The highest court in the country; has final authority on constitutional matters.

Question 11

Jurisdiction

Answer 11

The authority of a court to hear a case.

Question 12

Original Jurisdiction

Answer 12

The power to hear a case for the first time.

Question 13

Appellate Jurisdiction

Answer 13

The power to review decisions made by lower courts.

Question 14

Reverse (Appellate Ruling)

Answer 14

To overturn a lower court’s decision.

Question 15

Affirm (Appellate Ruling)

Answer 15

To uphold a lower court’s decision.

Question 16

Remand (Appellate Ruling)

Answer 16

To send a case back to a lower court for further action.

Question 17

Number of Justices

Answer 17

Nine total – one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.

Question 18

Chief Justice

Answer 18

Presides over the Supreme Court and has significant administrative duties.

Question 19

Associate Justices

Answer 19

The eight other justices who deliberate and vote on cases.

Question 20

Nomination Process

Answer 20

President nominates federal judges, Senate confirms.

Question 21

Role of Senate

Answer 21

Approves or rejects judicial nominees through hearings and votes.

Question 22

Judge Tenure

Answer 22

Federal judges serve for life unless they resign, retire, or are impeached.

Question 23

Why do Presidents Nominate Judges?

Answer 23

To influence the judicial direction of the country, often based on ideology.

Question 24

SCOTUS Requirements

Answer 24

No official constitutional requirements to become a justice.

Question 25

Criminal Case

Answer 25

The government prosecutes someone accused of breaking the law.

Question 26

Civil Case

Answer 26

Legal disputes between individuals or groups over rights or responsibilities.

Question 27

Writ of Certiorari

Answer 27

An official order by the Supreme Court to review a lower court's case.

Question 28

Precedent (Stare Decisis)

Answer 28

The practice of deciding new cases based on prior judicial decisions.

Question 29

Strict Interpretation

Answer 29

Literal reading of the Constitution based on exact wording.

Question 30

Loose Interpretation

Answer 30

Broader, more flexible understanding of constitutional language.

Question 31

Term of SCOTUS

Answer 31

Begins in October and usually runs until June each year.

Question 32

Caseload of SCOTUS

Answer 32

Thousands of cases are requested, but only a small percentage are heard.

Question 33

Briefs

Answer 33

Written arguments submitted to the Court before oral arguments.

Question 34

Majority Opinion

Answer 34

Official ruling of the Court.

Question 35

Dissenting Opinion

Answer 35

Written by justices who disagree.

Question 36

Concurring Opinion

Answer 36

Agrees with the majority but for different reasons

Question 37

Enforcement of Decisions

Answer 37

Handled by the Executive Branch and lower courts.

Question 38

Judicial Review

Answer 38

The power of the Court to strike down laws or actions that violate the Constitution.

Question 39

Marbury v. Madison (1803) established what?

Answer 39

Established judicial review.

Question 40

Checks on Judicial Branch Executive:

Answer 40

Appoints judges.

Question 41

Checks on Judicial Branch Legislative:

Answer 41

Confirms judges, amends Constitution.

Question 42

Checks on Judicial Branch Public:

Answer 42

Influences indirectly via elections and opinion.

Question 43

4th Amendment

Answer 43

Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Question 44

5th Amendment

Answer 44

Right to remain silent, no double jeopardy, due process.

Question 45

6th Amendment

Answer 45

Right to a speedy trial, legal counsel, and to confront witnesses.

Question 46

8th Amendment

Answer 46

No cruel or unusual punishment; protection from excessive bail or fines.

Question 47

Jury Trial

Answer 47

The right to be judged by peers in a legal proceeding.

Question 48

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Answer 48

Established Judicial Review. The case established that the Supreme Court has the power to review laws and actions to determine if they are constitutional. Marbury v. Madison solidified the Court's role in interpreting the Constitution.

Question 49

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Answer 49

Strengthened federal power through implied powers. The Court ruled that Congress could create a national bank and that states could not tax federal institutions, reinforcing federal supremacy.

Question 50

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

Answer 50

Denied citizenship to African Americans. The Court said enslaved people and their descendants could not be U.S. citizens, and declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

Question 51

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Answer 51

Upheld "separate but equal" segregation. The ruling allowed racial segregation in public facilities, as long as the facilities were supposedly equal.

Question 52

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Answer 52

Limited speech during wartime. Speech that presents a “clear and present danger” to national security can be restricted, even if it would be protected otherwise.

Question 53

Korematsu v. United States (1944)

Answer 53

Upheld Japanese internment. The Court ruled that wartime internment of Japanese Americans was justified by national security, despite racial discrimination concerns.

Question 54

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Answer 54

Ended segregation in public schools. The Court ruled that “separate but equal” schools are inherently unequal, violating the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

Question 55

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Answer 55

Applied the exclusionary rule to states. Evidence obtained illegally can’t be used in court, enforcing Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful searches.

Question 56

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Answer 56

Guaranteed right to an attorney. The Court ruled that state courts must provide attorneys for defendants who can’t afford one, under the Sixth Amendment.

Question 57

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Answer 57

Required police to inform suspects of rights. Suspects must be told they have the right to remain silent and to an attorney, protecting Fifth Amendment rights.

Question 58

Loving v. Virginia (1967)

Answer 58

Struck down bans on interracial marriage. The Court ruled such bans violated the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and the fundamental right to marry.

Question 59

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Answer 59

Protected student free speech. Students have First Amendment rights at school, as long as their speech does not disrupt the learning environment.

Question 60

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Answer 60

Legalized abortion under the right to privacy. The Court ruled that the right to privacy, under the 14th Amendment, protected a woman’s right to choose an abortion. Overturned in 2022

Question 61

Bush v. Gore (2000)

Answer 61

Ended Florida recount in 2000 election. The Court said different counting standards violated the Equal Protection Clause, effectively deciding the presidential election.

Question 62

Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010)

Answer 62

Allowed unlimited political spending by corporations. Political spending is protected as free speech under the First Amendment, even by corporations and unions.

Question 63

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

Answer 63

Legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The Court ruled that denying same-sex couples the right to marry violated the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses.