Ch. 14 The Courts

Jurisdiction refers to

a court's area of authority.

In Lawrence v. Texas, the Supreme Court struck down a law banning sodomy in Texas. This is an example of judicial

activism

Which of the following is the MOST common path that a case takes to get to the Supreme Court?

writ of certiorari

How many justices must agree to hear a case in order for it to be granted a writ of certiorari?

4

Which president threatened to pack the Court with justices who would support his policies?

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Which of the following is NOT a criterion by which the Supreme Court decides whether to hear a case?

amicus curiae

The Judiciary Act of 1789

created a system of federal courts.

What does the term standing refer to?

the legitimate justification for bringing a civil case to court

If a plaintiff and defendant settle a case before it goes to trial or a verdict is reached, this is called a

plea bargain

Those who believe in a living Constitution

take into account evolving national attitudes in interpreting the document.

Congress may change all of the following EXCEPT

the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction

Appellate jurisdiction refers to the Court's power to

hear appeals from lower courts.

Congress can overturn certain Supreme Court decisions merely by passing a new law. They can do this in cases of

statutory interpretations

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

strict constructionists

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

It plays an active role.

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

Judicial review was established in the case of

Marbury v. Madison.

What is a class-action lawsuit?

a civil lawsuit brought by a group of individuals

Who is MOST likely to submit an amicus curiae brief?

an interest group

The Supreme Court's power of judicial review was established

as a result of Marbury v. Madison.

Interest groups are most likely to be involved in the Supreme Court's legal process in which way?

by filing an amicus curiae brief

A(n) __________ is a legal action by which a group of individuals with common interests can file a suit on behalf of everyone who shares that interest.

class-action suit

Bilbo is arrested for theft. He is charged by the courts and the case goes to trial. In this example, Bilbo is the

defendant

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

As the power of __________ has evolved, it has become a central part of the system of checks and balances.

judicial review

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

At the outset of a case, judges determine whether the person filing the case has a legitimate basis for bringing it; this is called

standing