Chapter 14 Review
The president nominates Supreme Court justices, but the Senate elects other federal judges.
False
A positive effect of justices' lifetime appointments is
having a fair and impartial judiciary.
President Andrew Jackson's refusal to carry out a Court ruling shows that
the Supreme Court depends on the executive branch to enforce its decisions.
A pivotal civil liberties case in which the Court was not bound by precedent was
Brown vs Board of Education
Because of broad media coverage, a justice's confirmation is no longer contentious.
False
If a justice disagrees with the ruling in a particular case, he/she has the option of filing what is customarily called a concurring opinion.
False
If an interest group wants to explain to the Supreme Court why a case should be decided in a particular way, the group can submit a writ of certiorari.
False
The Constitution says that a Supreme Court justice must be at least 35 years of age.
False
The Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction in those cases involving representatives of foreign governments
False
The Supreme Court's primary function is to settle disputes among the states.
False
In which case did the Supreme Court rule that states could not interfere with federal actions that were necessary to carry out the federal government's constitutional powers?
McCullouch vs Maryland
How is the process for filling a Senate position different from the process for filling a Supreme Court position?
Senators are elected by the people whereas justices are nominated by the president.
By assigning a southerner to write write the Court's opinion for a voter discrimination case, the Supreme Court demonstrated its awareness of public opinion.
True
Confirmation of Supreme Court nominees typically takes longer today than in the past.
True
In one of the Federalist papers, Alexander Hamilton argued that the Supreme Court should have the right to determine whether laws are constitutional.
True
The Supreme Court took on the case of Clarence Gideon in order to determine whether his constitutional rights had been violated.
True
Today's justices are more representative of the country as a whole than in the past.
True
When considering what cases to hear, the Supreme Court often chooses in which courts have interpreted federal laws differently.
True
When hearing a case, the Supreme Court does not hear testimony from witnesses.
True
The losing party in a state Supreme Court case can appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court by submitting
a petition for a writ of certiorari.
The Constitution requires that a Supreme Court justice
be confirmed by the Senate
appellate cases
can come either through the state court systems or the federal court system
The legislative branch can check the power of the Supreme Court because it
can remove justices.
If a justice agrees with the majority's opinion, but has different reasoning, he or she may issue a
concurring opinion.
One reason that justices take a preliminary vote is to
discuss their reasoning.
The Supreme Court decides to take a case when it
grants certiorari
Presidents typically work to nominate individuals who
have personal integrity and professional expertise.
belief that the Court should step in if people's rights are violated
judicial activism
ideas about what guidelines to follow when interpreting the Constitution
judicial philosophy
belief that the Court should avoid overturning laws passed by democratically elected bodies
judicial restraint
When the Court ruled in Brandenburg v. Ohio that the government could not take away the right to free speech just because it might incite a crime, it was
showing judicial activism.
principle that once the Court rules, its decision serves as a precedent
stare decisis
In Marbury vs Madison, Chief Justice John Marshall helped establish
the Supreme Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional.
Once the Supreme Court reaches a decision in a case,
the decision becomes law.
If citizens do not like how the Supreme Court interprets part of the Constitution, they can
work to get the Constitution amended.
belief that judges should apply the Constitution in light of current conditions
"living" constitution
How is a justice who follows judicial restraint likely to be different from an activist?
The justice is less likely to declare an existing law unconstitutional.
Why do presidents want nominees from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds?
They want the justices to be somewhat representative of the entire country.
What is the purpose of the rule of four?
To determine whether the Supreme Court will hear a case.
Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka illustrates how the Supreme Court can be influenced by changing societal values and beliefs.
True