Focus Activities: The Courts

Which of the following statements accurately describes the information presented in the table?

From the presidency of Ronald Reagan to the presidency of Donald Trump, even successful nominations to the Supreme Court have generally grown more contentious.

Jury service is required of citizens who are selected from lists of residents, registered voters, or recipients of driver's licenses or state identification.

various state laws

What evidence supports the statement that the nominations of Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito were contentious? Check all that apply.

-Each justice received at least one "no" vote from members of the nominating president's party. -A substantial number of members of the party opposing the nominating president voted against their nomination.

According to the author of the excerpt, who might find jury duty fun? Check all that apply.

-People employed by government or corporations that continue to pay salary during jury service -Individuals who are free to put work on hold while on jury duty

Which of the following is true of the federal courts? Check all that apply.

-There are 12 regional circuits; each has a U.S. Court of Appeals that operates with three-judge panels to hear appeals cases. -The federal judiciary is structured with three layers including, from bottom to top: district courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court. -Appeals made from the U.S. Courts of Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court are often rejected.

Juries are to be composed of "honest men of the neighborhood."

Magna Carta

Why were Stake and Burke sentenced to time in a federal prison, according to the article?

Stake and Burke plead guilty and were sentenced by a federal court.

Due process protections guaranteed to those accused of crimes include the right to a speedy and public trial and the right to be confronted with witnesses.

The sixth amendment

Crimes are to be tried by juries in the state in which the crime was committed.

article III of the U.S. constitution

President Trump did not mention banning Muslims from entering the United States during his campaign.

false

President Trump's first travel ban was upheld by lower courts.

false

The policy originated in the House of Representatives.

false

Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a dissent in the Court's decision.

true

The ban upheld by the Supreme Court barred individuals from some non-Muslim countries.

true