Federal Court System

Question 1

Supreme Court

Answer 1

-the highest court in the land; decisions made here are final
*not required to hear every case; they review only about 90/8,000 cases every year.

Question 2

Court of Appeals

Answer 2

-hears appeals from federal district courts
They determine whether the original case was fair or should be tried again.
*courts of appellate jurisdiction
*also known as appellate courts

Question 3

District Court

Answer 3

-hear both criminal and civil federal court cases
*courts of original jurisdiction

Question 4

appeal

Answer 4

-the process by which the person asks a higher court to review the result of the trial

Question 5

There are ___ Justices in the Supreme Court.

Answer 5

9

Question 6

How many U.S. Supreme courts are there?

Answer 6

1 (one)

Question 7

There are ____ Courts of Appeals.

Answer 7

13

Question 8

There are ____ District Courts.

Answer 8

94

Question 9

Original Jurisdiction

Answer 9

-the authority of a court to hear and decide a case for the first time

Question 10

Federal judges are appointed by the ____________ and confirmed by ___________.

Answer 10

president,
Congress (Senate)

Question 11

The role of the courts is to…

Answer 11

-use the law to settle disputes

Question 12

An accused person has the rights to…

Answer 12

-have an attorney
-confront the accuser
-a jury trial
“Innocent until proven guilty.”

Question 13

jurisdiction (of a court)

Answer 13

-the extent or scope of authority that a court has to hear and decide a case that has been properly brought before it

Question 14

appellate jurisdiction

Answer 14

-the authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts

Question 15

How many district courts are there?

Answer 15

94

Question 16

How many Courts of Appeals are there?

Answer 16

13

Question 17

How many Supreme Courts are there?

Answer 17

1

Question 18

The Constitution gives the Supreme Court original Jurisdiction for cases involving:

Answer 18

-foreign diplomats
-a dispute between states
-disputes between a state and the federal government

Question 19

Judicial Review

Answer 19

-the power that allows courts to decide whether a law or presidential action is in agreement with the Constitution

Question 20

Precedent

Answer 20

-earlier decision for the same or similar cases

Question 21

The levels of the Courts from highest to lowest are:

Answer 21

1. Supreme Court
2. Courts of Appeals
3. District Courts

Question 22

justices

Answer 22

-judges for the Supreme Court

Question 23

How many justices are in the Supreme Court?

Answer 23

9

Question 24

remand

Answer 24

-to return a case to a lower court for a new trial

Question 25

Opinion

Answer 25

-explains the reasoning that led to the decision

Question 26

Concurring Opinion

Answer 26

-when a justice agrees with the majority decision but for a different reason

Question 27

Dissenting Opinion

Answer 27

-explains why the justice believes the majority opinion is wrong

Question 28

What is the term length for a Supreme Court Justice?

Answer 28

they are appointed for life

Question 29

What are the two types of jurisdiction?

Answer 29

original jurisdiction & appellate jurisdiction

Question 30

The federal court system is divided into ____ district courts and ____ judicial circuits.

Answer 30

94,
12

Question 31

Judicial panel

Answer 31

-a group of three (3) or more judges that make decisions on cases, as opposed to only one judge

Question 32

Federal judges are appointed to serve ___________ terms.

Answer 32

infinite
-judges and justices are appointed for life

Question 33

The decisions of the Supreme Court Justices cannot be _________.

Answer 33

appealed

Question 34

What can Congress do if the Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional?

Answer 34

Congress can try to write a better law.

Question 35

Who determines the size of the Supreme Court?

Answer 35

Congress

Question 36

What court does a person first accused of a criminal act first appear in?

Answer 36

district court