InQuizitive FED Ch 15. The Federal Courts

Since the 1960s, the federal courts have gained greater power and influence. What are some changes that permitted this?

Correct: - allowed the use of class-action lawsuits - the use of structural remedies, which retain jurisdiction over a case until the Court's ruling has been - implemented - a broader concept of standing that permits almost any group to challenge actions of administrative agencies Incorrect: - permitted courts to generate cases regarding important issues, rather than wait for parties to bring a case - allowed courts to issue advisory opinions to states and lawmakers

When does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction over a case?

Correct: - in a case between two or more states - in a case between the federal government and a state government - in cases in which a foreign ambassador is involved - when a state government brings a case against citizens of another state Incorrect: - in cases brought by the federal government against a citizen - in a case in which a member of Congress is involved

Which of the following characteristics are relevant in determining which federal court has jurisdiction over a case?

Correct: - the parties in the case - location where the case was filed - subject matter of the case Incorrect: - the size of the court's docket

In recent years, the Court has granted writs of certiorari to about what percentage of petitioners?

1

Place in order, from first to last, the process by which the Supreme Court accepts and reviews a case. Note that this list represents only a few of the overall sequence of steps in this process. - A petition for a writ of certiorari is filed. - Oral arguments commence. - The Court grants a writ of certiorari. - The justices convene a conference to make a decision.

1. A petition for a writ of certiorari is filed. 2. The Court grants a writ of certiorari. 3. Oral arguments commence. 4. The justices convene a conference to make a decision.

Which of the following is the best example of stare decisis?

An attorney uses a previous state court ruling to argue his client's case.

Why does the Supreme Court rarely challenge the actions of executive agencies?

Correct: - Doing so may provoke a fight with the president. - Executive agencies follow a formal rule-making process. Incorrect: - The Supreme Court lacks the authority to do so. - There are few examples of individuals legally challenging executive agencies' actions.

Why are oral arguments an important part of the Supreme Court's decision-making process?

Correct: - Justices can ask questions of attorneys that might not have been addressed in the briefs. - They allow justices to better understand the heart of the case. Incorrect: - They allow justices a chance to gauge public opinion on the topic. - They offer an opportunity to discuss the case with other justices.

Which of the following criteria are used by the Supreme Court to determine whether it will hear a case?

Correct: - The case is timely; the issue is not moot. - Parties have standing, or a stake, in the outcome. - The issue represents a controversy. Incorrect: - Parties to the issue have an interest in the outcome.

Which of the following cases can be heard only in a federal court?

Correct: - a case involving a federal law - a case involving interpretation of the U.S. Constitution Incorrect: - a case appealed out of a state trial court - a case involving citizens from multiple states

How did the Supreme Court gain the power of judicial review?

Judicial review was established in the decision of Marbury v. Madison.

Which statement about criminal law is accurate?

Most criminal law begins and ends at the state level

Which description of Supreme Court justices is true?

Supreme Court nominees tend to share the same ideologies as the presidents who appoint them.

Why does the Court overturn congressional action so rarely?

The Court intentionally interprets congressional laws to make them constitutional.

Properly order the steps a case typically goes through in the federal court system: - US courts of appeals - US district courts - US Supreme Court

US district court US court of appeals US Supreme Court

Match each Supreme Court document to its definition.

brief: attorney-written document arguing why the Court should agree with their client dissenting opinion: document laying out the legal belief of a minority of the Supreme Court justices about the case in question opinion: document laying out the legal belief of the Supreme Court justices about the case in question amicus curiae brief: interest-group-written brief that advises the Court on how to rule on a case

Rank each court based on the number of cases it hears, from the court that hears the most cases to the court that hears the fewest. federal district courts state courts of appeals state trial courts federal courts of appeals state supreme courts U.S. Supreme Court

state trial courts federal district courts state courts of appeals federal courts of appeals state supreme courts U.S. Supreme Court

The chief justice has voted with the minority of justices on a case. Who gets to assign which justice will write the majority opinion?

the most senior associate justice in the majority

What is an amicus curiae brief?

a brief submitted by a third party in hopes of influencing the justices