Chapter 13 Chapter Test (84% correct)

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. The 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.

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

Congress must approve all SCOTUS nominees

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

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

It plays an active role.

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 her case. What is most likely the reason why?

Jessica's case is moot.

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 its 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 would have original jurisdiction in a case involving

a religious group challenges a state law related to abortion access

The Supreme Court's power of judicial review was established

as a result of Marbury v. Madison

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

four; nine

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 restraint

In a similar previous case the court ruled for the plantiff. 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

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

strict constructionism; the words of the law in question.

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.

Which activity is most hidden from the public?

the justices meeting in conference

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

the making of the decision in the case

Imagine Justice Thomas and Justice Alito both agree on the outcome of a case. Justice Thomas is asked to write a 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