US judicary

Question 1

The powers of SCOTUS

Answer 1

Veto powers via setting house rules but no positive agenda setting powers.

Question 2

Important change of judge 2006

Answer 2

Justice O’Connor retired, replaced by Alito (now Conservative control)

Question 3

Example of a court ruling that carved out social precedent

Answer 3

Earl Warren’s decisions on civil rights 1950s

DC vs Heller assert right to bear arms (2nd Amendment)

Roe vs Wade “right to privacy” that not in constitution

Question 4

An alternative to “judicial activism” claims

Answer 4

Roosevelt’s “deference” based on institutional competence, lessons of history, defects in democracy and the costs of error

Question 5

Example of Roosevelt’s deference standard being applied

Answer 5

Romer vs Evans (1996) strike down Colorado state laws persecuting homosexuals.

“Legitimate deference” because this group politically underrepresented in other spheres

Question 6

Examples of SCOTUS being overridden by other branches of government

Answer 6

Congress passing the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (2009) and the President/Congress getting involved in Teri Schiavo’s case with “Palm Sunday Compromise” (2005)

Question 7

3 different types of interpretation by court

Answer 7

Declare state law unconstitutional
Declare congressional law unconstitutional
Interpret statute without use of constitution