Chapter 14 Quiz (100% correct)

These days, what role does the Senate play in confirming judges?

It plays an active role.

The Supreme Court would have original jurisdiction in a case involving

a dispute between two states over oil drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico.

A Justice who believes in __________ would focus carefully on __________ when making her decision.

strict constructionism; the words of the law in question

A justice who subscribes to a doctrine of judicial restraint would be MOST likely to produce which statement?

"We should not be ruling on this. This issue should be decided through legislation."

Which incident would MOST likely lead to a class-action lawsuit?

A group of people are all injured taking what turned out to be a harmful medication.

The norm of senatorial courtesy applies to what level of the judiciary?

District

Which list properly orders federal courts from smallest geographic area of jurisdiction to largest?

District; Circuit; Supreme

__________ of the __________ justices must agree to hear a case in order for it to be granted a writ of certiorari.

Four; nine

Jessica was denied entry to medical school. She sued for admission and was allowed to enter the program provisionally while the case went through the court system. Years later, a few months before her graduation date, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. What is the most likely reason why?

Jessica's case is moot.

Which policy is used to make sure that federal judges are impartial?

Judges are appointed for life.

Basic details about the federal court system, such as the creation of district courts and the size of the Supreme Court, are found in what document?

Judiciary Act of 1789

Why is the Supreme Court careful to factor in how other branches will react when it makes decisions?

The Supreme Court has no authority to enforce the decisions it makes.

What is a class-action lawsuit?

a civil lawsuit brought by a group of individuals

A negotiated agreement in a criminal case in which a defendant agrees to tell the court that he or she is guilty in return for the state's agreement to reduce the severity of the criminal charge or prison sentence the defendant is facing is known as __________.

a plea bargain

The Supreme Court's power of judicial review was established

as a result of Marbury v. Madison.

Appellate jurisdiction refers to the Court's power to _______

hear appeals from lower courts

The __________ approach to deciding Supreme Court cases says that justices should attempt to defer to the elected branches of government and not contradict their actions.

judicial restraint

When the Supreme Court strikes down a congressional or state law, it engages in __________.

judicial review

In a similar previous case the court ruled for the plaintiff. The court will now consider that previous ruling in deciding how to deal with the current case. This is an example of __________.

precedent

Which figure argues cases on behalf of the federal government before the Supreme Court?

solicitor general

Those who believe that we should go by the exact words written in the Constitution are known as __________.

strict constructionists

Those who believe in a living Constitution __________.

take into account evolving national attitudes in interpreting the document

At what stage of the Supreme Court decision-making process are the justices' law clerks most influential?

the creation of a cert pool

Which activity is MOST hidden from the public?

the justices meeting in conference

Imagine Justice Thomas and Justice Alito both agree on the outcome of a case. Justice Thomas is asked to write the majority opinion. Justice Alito agrees with the majority opinion, but differs from the other justices in his legal reasoning. He is MOST likely to

write a concurring opinion.