The Judicial Branch

Question 1

role of the Supreme Court

Any case appealed from the US Court of Appeals is heard (Appellate Jurisdiction)

Answer 1

Any case appealed from the US Court of Appeals is heard (Appellate Jurisdiction)

Question 2

role of the Supreme Court

Any case appealed from the US Court of Appeals is heard (Appellate Jurisdiction)

Judicial review

the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution

Answer 2

the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution

Question 3

role of the Supreme Court

Any case appealed from the US Court of Appeals is heard (Appellate Jurisdiction)

Judicial review

the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution

Marbury vs madison

About judicial appointments
established the principle of judicial review, meaning that American courts have the power to strike down laws and statutes they find to violate the Constitution

Answer 3

About judicial appointments
established the principle of judicial review, meaning that American courts have the power to strike down laws and statutes they find to violate the Constitution

Question 4

role of the Supreme Court

Any case appealed from the US Court of Appeals is heard (Appellate Jurisdiction)

Judicial review

the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution

Marbury vs madison

About judicial appointments
established the principle of judicial review, meaning that American courts have the power to strike down laws and statutes they find to violate the Constitution

Majority opinion

the opinion of the majority of justices in a Supreme Court

Answer 4

the opinion of the majority of justices in a Supreme Court

Question 5

Stare Decisis

holds that courts and judges should honor “precedent”—or the decisions, rulings, and opinions from prior cases

Answer 5

holds that courts and judges should honor “precedent”—or the decisions, rulings, and opinions from prior cases

Question 6

Stare Decisis

holds that courts and judges should honor “precedent”—or the decisions, rulings, and opinions from prior cases

Original Jurisdiction

a court’s authority to hear and decide a case for the first time before any appellate review occurs

Answer 6

a court’s authority to hear and decide a case for the first time before any appellate review occurs

Question 7

Writ of Certiorari

Answer 7

is a request that the Supreme Court order a lower court to send up the record of the case for review.

Question 8

judicial review significance

Answer 8

Important because it checks the powers of legislative and executive branch and strike down laws that are unconstitutional

Question 9

Structure of the supreme court

Answer 9

There are 9 SC Justices – 1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices
Judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate
No listed qualifications for judges
Appointed for life – only way to “quit” is to be impeached, die, or resign
Should not be “partisan” to any party, but may lean liberal or conservative.

Question 10

Unanimous opinion

Answer 10

they all agree about one particular matter or vote the same way

Question 11

Dissenting opinion

Answer 11

expressing disagreement with the majority opinion of the court

Question 12

concurring

Answer 12

be of the same opinion; agree.

Question 13

Due process

Answer 13

fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen’s entitlement.

Question 14

Substantive due process

Answer 14

asks the question of whether the government’s deprivation of a person’s life, liberty or property is justified by a sufficient purpose

Question 15

Procedural due process

whether the government has followed the proper procedures when it takes away life, liberty or property.

Answer 15

whether the government has followed the proper procedures when it takes away life, liberty or property.

Question 16

US District Courts

Answer 16

The United States district courts are the trial courts of the federal court system. This is where federal cases are tried, where witnesses testify, and federal juries serve.
94 federal district courts in the United States.
District courts have original jurisdiction, which means that they preside over cases first. These cases may be either criminal or civil cases.

Question 17

US Courts of Appeals

Answer 17

There are 12 regional circuit courts, and one for the “Federal Circuit,” that were established by Congress to relieve some of the caseload of the Supreme Court, and to hear cases that are appealed from the 94 district courts.
The courts of appeals have appellate jurisdiction. They are not trial courts and do not hear cases first. Instead, the appellate courts review the decisions of the district courts, and determine whether they were correct.