Question 1

The justification used by federal courts primarily to avoid deciding cases regarding conflicts between the president and Congress is known as the doctrine of

Accepted Answer

A)  judicial activism.
B)  political questions.
C)  independent grounds.
D)  stare decisis.
E)  judicial restraint.

Question 2

Which of the following statements is TRUE about participants in the judicial system?

Accepted Answer

A)  The courts have broadened the concept of standing to sue to include class action suits.
B)  Class action suits permit a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similarly situated.
C)  The Supreme Court has made it more difficult to file class action suits since 1973.
D)  Congress and the Supreme Court have generally liberalized standing to sue.
E)  All of these are true.

Question 3

The United States Supreme Court's jurisdiction includes

Accepted Answer

A)  appellate jurisdiction from both state and federal courts.
B)  original jurisdiction only in cases involving foreign diplomats.
C)  only appellate jurisdiction.
D)  original jurisdiction in cases involving citizens from one state only if it involves a federal question.
E)  All of the above are true.

Question 4

When the Court frequently overturns its own past decisions,it decreases the likelihood that its future decisions will be considered legitimate.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The vast majority of civil cases that commence in the federal courts are settled out of court.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The Supreme Court's unwillingness to settle disputes about the constitutionality of the War Powers Act is an example of the doctrine of _____,used as a means to decide cases involving conflict between the president and Congress.

Accepted Answer

A)  statutory construction
B)  judicial restraint
C)  political questions
D)  judicial activism
E)  judicial implementation

Question 7

The concept of original intent holds that

Accepted Answer

A)  judges and justices should determine the intent of the Framers of the Constitution regarding a particular matter and decide cases in line with that intent.
B)  the Founders intended judges to use discretion.
C)  it is necessary to adapt the principles in the Constitution to the demands of each era.
D)  the Founders embraced general principles that are open to interpretation.
E)  the Founders intended judges to interpret the Constitution but make new law when necessary.

Question 8

The requirement that plaintiffs have a serious interest in a case,depending on whether they have sustained or are likely to sustain a direct and substantial injury from another party or from an action of government,is called

Accepted Answer

A)  standing to sue.
B)  a justiciable dispute.
C)  original jurisdiction.
D)  appellate jurisdiction.
E)  stare decisis.

Question 9

A written opinion in a Supreme Court case is a

Accepted Answer

A)  legal argument submitted by an attorney in a case seeking to sway a justice's decision.
B)  way of establishing the Court's agenda.
C)  statement of the legal reasoning behind a decision.
D)  formality handled by the chief justice's law clerks.
E)  form of press release written by the chief justice.

Question 10

A ________ is a Supreme Court ruling without explanation that resolves an immediate case but has no value as precedent because the Court does not offer reasoning that would guide lower courts in future decisions.

Accepted Answer

A)  stare decisis
B)  writ of certiorari
C)  concurring opinion
D)  per curiam decision
E)  writ of mandamus

Question 11

In order for the Supreme Court to hear oral arguments or decide a case on the written record,

Accepted Answer

A)  a majority of the justices must agree to take the case.
B)  four justices must agree to take the case.
C)  the chief justice must agree to grant a writ of certiorari to the case.
D)  all justices must agree to take the case.
E)  the solicitor general representing the United States government must agree to permit the case to be heard.

Question 12

As of January 2011,there were three female Supreme Court justices.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Of the _______cases that reach the Supreme Court in requests for review,______ are eventually placed on the docket.

Accepted Answer

A)  8,000; fewer than 100
B)  8,000; approximately 1,000
C)  100; approximately 25
D)  50; fewer than 30
E)  50; almost all

Question 14

What is a political question? Give an example of an issue that the Court has deemed a political question and,therefore,left to Congress and the presidency to decide.

Accepted Answer

A political question is a type of issue ...

Question 15

Explain the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction.

Accepted Answer

Original jurisdiction refers to the auth...

Question 16

In civil law cases,the government charges an individual with violating specific laws,such as those prohibiting robbery.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

The Constitution sets the number of Supreme Court justices at nine.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Principal reasons for the Court's choosing to hear a case would include each of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  a conflict between different lower courts on the interpretation of federal law.
B)  cases that involve major issues,like civil liberties.
C)  disagreement between a majority of the Supreme Court and lower-court decisions.
D)  politically hot and divisive cases.
E)  the justices' law clerks recommendations.

Question 19

Appeals regarding patents would be heard by

Accepted Answer

A)  the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
B)  the Court of Claims.
C)  the solicitor general.
D)  a federal district court.
E)  the United States Supreme Court.

Question 20

What do presidents look for in selecting a Supreme Court justice? How often are they successful in appointing judges who reflect their judicial philosophy? Provide a few examples from the twentieth century of presidents succeeding and failing to have a direct influence on the Court.

Accepted Answer

Presidents typically look for Supreme Co...

Exam 14: The Federal Courts

In order for the Supreme Court to hear oral arguments or decide a case on the written record,

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What do presidents look for in selecting a Supreme Court justice? How often are they successful in appointing judges who reflect their judicial philosophy? Provide a few examples from the twentieth century of presidents succeeding and failing to have a direct influence on the Court.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIPresidents typically look for Supreme Co...View AnswerShow Answer

As of January 2011,there were three female Supreme Court justices.

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The Supreme Court's unwillingness to settle disputes about the constitutionality of the War Powers Act is an example of the doctrine of _____,used as a means to decide cases involving conflict between the president and Congress.

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Explain the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIOriginal jurisdiction refers to the auth...View AnswerShow Answer

The justification used by federal courts primarily to avoid deciding cases regarding conflicts between the president and Congress is known as the doctrine of

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The vast majority of civil cases that commence in the federal courts are settled out of court.

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In civil law cases,the government charges an individual with violating specific laws,such as those prohibiting robbery.

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Appeals regarding patents would be heard by

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is a political question? Give an example of an issue that the Court has deemed a political question and,therefore,left to Congress and the presidency to decide.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIA political question is a type of issue ...View AnswerShow Answer

Principal reasons for the Court's choosing to hear a case would include each of the following EXCEPT

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The requirement that plaintiffs have a serious interest in a case,depending on whether they have sustained or are likely to sustain a direct and substantial injury from another party or from an action of government,is called

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Of the _______cases that reach the Supreme Court in requests for review,______ are eventually placed on the docket.

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The United States Supreme Court's jurisdiction includes

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A ________ is a Supreme Court ruling without explanation that resolves an immediate case but has no value as precedent because the Court does not offer reasoning that would guide lower courts in future decisions.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A written opinion in a Supreme Court case is a

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The concept of original intent holds that

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The Constitution sets the number of Supreme Court justices at nine.

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Which of the following statements is TRUE about participants in the judicial system?

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When the Court frequently overturns its own past decisions,it decreases the likelihood that its future decisions will be considered legitimate.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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Presidents typically look for Supreme Co...
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Original jurisdiction refers to the auth...
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A political question is a type of issue ...
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Of the _cases that reach the Supreme Court in requests for review, are eventually placed on the docket.

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