American Government Judicial Branch Quiz

when the us government is involved in a case before the supreme court it is usually represented by the solicitor general or solicitor generals staff. the _______ of the united states may argue an important case

attorney general

the supreme court is not bound by an earlier decision if it believes an error has been made or that there has been social political and economic _____

change

the supreme court has nine members a _______ and eight associate justices. the number is set by congress and has not changed since 1869

chief justice

the most important cases decided by the supreme court are those that require the justices to interpret the ______ or the laws enacted by congress

constitution

if there is a tie when the justices vote on a case the lower ______ decision is left standing

court

the court meets regularly in the supreme court building in ________

dc

all opinions are published in the united states reports. the publishing of opinions enables the public to study the _____ of the court

decisions

the supreme court heads the judicial branch of the federal government. it is the only court specifically created by the constitution. congress set up the other _______ courts

federal

the supreme court has appellate jurisdiction which is the authority to confirm or reveres lower court decisions. most cases come from the federal courts of appeals and the ______ state courts

higher

because the court cannot possibly review all cases it selects the ones it considers the most ______

important

all justices have had some legal training and experience and most have been prominent _____ lawyers law teachers or government officials

judges

once appointed justices may remain in office for life and congress cannot reduce their salary. these provisions protect the _______ from political control and help ensure their independence

judges

the supreme courts power to decide whether a federal or state law or executive action is constitutional is known as ______ (john marshall)

judicial review

the annual term of the court begins the first monday in october and usually ends in _____

june

the court reviews conflicts between the constitution and a federal or state _____

laws

the court agrees to hear a case by granting a writ of certiorari a written order calling the case up from a ______ court for review

lower

when the supreme court announces a decision one justice who voted with the majority writes what is called the _______ opinion

majority

a justice can be removed through impeachment for corruption or other abuses of office but that has _____ occurred

never

the supreme court declares what the law is only when an actual case comes before it. the case must involve a real dispute between opposing parties. the court does ______ give legal advice or opinions

not

a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion of the court may write a dissenting ______

opinion

pleading cases before the supreme court is normally done by attorneys. however a litigant (person involved in a lawsuit) may argue his or her own case with the courts ______

permission

the attorney for the side requesting a _____ submits a written petition explaining why the lower court judge is in error and why the case is of special importance

review

the constitution sets no qualifications for justices but states that they shall be appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the _________

senate

the court controls its workload by granting only a _______ percentage of requests for a writ of certiorari. nevertheless the court has a constantly growing volume of work

small

the united states supreme court may review the decisions of the highest ______ courts that involve the us constitution or acts of congress.

state

once the supreme court decides a case lower courts must follow the decision in similar cases. the ______ itself usually follows its earlier decisions

supreme court

the supreme court justices decide a case after they have considered written and oral arguments from each side. they then discuss the case in private. cases are decided by majority _______

vote