PSCI Quiz 4 Answers

More than ___percent of all cases in the United States are heard in state courts

97

More than one-third of the groups with lobbying offices in Washington are

businesses and corporations

The power of the Supreme Court to review state actions and legislation is implied by

the supremacy clause of Article VI

(WRONG) Which of the following is NOT a power that Congress has to check the power of the judicial branch?

(WRONG) Congress can rewrite legislation that the court has interpreted and initiate constitutional amendments

(WRONG) According to the Frontline episode Supreme Revenge, which conflict from 30 years ago led to a fundamental transformation of the Supreme Court nomination process?

(WRONG) The contentious confirmation hearings of Sandra Day O'Connor (Right?) The failed confirmation of Robert Bork

(WRONG) The Supreme Court hearings where attorneys from both sides of a case present their positions and answers questions posed by the justices are called

(Wrong) Amicus hearings (Right) Oral arguments

Labor groups represent ___percent of the total number of interest groups registered to lobby in Washington

2

What is the name of the person recently nominated and confirmed to fill the U.S. Supreme Court eat formerly filled by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg?

Amy Coney Barrett

What does it mean when the Supreme Court grants a writ of Certiorari (or issues a grant of "cert")

At least four justices have agreed that an appellate case is worth considering because it raises an important federal or constitutional issue

How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?

Nine

Prior cases whose principles are used by judges to decide current cases are called

Precedents

The doctrine of ____requires courts to follow authoritative prior decisions when ruling on a case

Stare decisis

Which of the following best describes the role of the solicitor general?

The solicitor general is the lawyer who represents the United States before the Supreme Court in cases where the federal government is a party

Which of the following statements best describe the formal requirements of serving as federal court judge?

There are no formal requirements to serve as a federal court judge

Which of the following cases would always be heard in federal court?

a case involving the state of New York suing the state of New Hampshire over state highway maintenance

The opinion issued by a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion of a case is called

a dissenting opinion

An iron triangle is made up of an alliance between

a legislative committee, an interest group, and an executive agency

If a defendant is charged with burglary, but admits to a lesser charge of trespassing in exchange for a prosecution dismissing the burglary charge and forgoing the criminal trial, it is an example of

a plea bargin

A person, agency, or interest group not directly a party to a case but with an interest in its outcome may file a ___brief

amicus curiae

In recent years, federal court appointments have

been characterized by intense partisan and ideological efforts to support or defeat the candidate.

Trial Courts in the federal judicial system are called

district courts

The Supreme Court's landmark decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) was significant because it

dramatically increased the flow of money from interest groups and Super PACs in politics and electoral campaigns

The number of cases filed in the U.S. Supreme Court

has increased dramatically since 1940

The Christian Coalition is a ____group

ideological

If someone is an advocate of the philosophy of judicial restraint, he or she believes

in looking only at the words of the Constitution in order to understand its meaning

The increased number and importance of interest groups

is a response to an increase in the size and activity of government

A criticism of interest group pluralism is

its class bias in favor of those with greater financial resources

Through the exercise of _____, the Supreme Court has held actions or laws of the executive and legislative branches unconstitutional

judicial review

What is the primary function of a PAC?

to raise and distribute money to election campagins

The Sierra Club is a ____group

public interest