POS Chap 13

The data presented in this figure depict the growing caseload of the U.S. Supreme Court. The total number of cases filed in the Court has increased a great deal over the last 80 years. What was the first year in which more than 4,000 cases were filed with the Court?

1973

How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?

9

Which of the following is true about the basis for federal court jurisdiction?

Congress has created several specialized courts that have nationwide original jurisdiction in certain types of cases.

________ and ________ are the two most common types of civil law cases.

Contracts; torts

________ are used to express opposition to a Supreme Court outcome or to signal to the losing side that some members of the Court support its position.

Dissenting opinions

What case established that people who are suspected as an enemy combatant are permitted a lawyer and fair opportunity to rebut the government's assertions?

Hamdi v. Rumsfeld

Which of the following statements best describes the confirmation process for Supreme Court nominees?

Intense partisan battles over Supreme Court appointments are a fairly recent phenomenon with many previous nominations sailing through the process with unanimous votes.

Why is standing important?

It is important that the party bringing a claim demonstrate that they have a right to challenge the conduct of another party in court.

How is the size of the U.S. Supreme Court determined?

The U.S. Congress sets the number of Supreme Court justices.

The data presented in this figure depict the growing caseload of the U.S. Supreme Court. The total number of cases filed in the Court has increased a great deal over the last 80 years. The number of cases filed in 2015 was considerably lower than in previous years. How many fewer cases were filed in 2015 relative to the highest point?

about 3,000 fewer cases

Briefs submitted to the United States Supreme Court

are written documents in which attorneys explain why the Court should rule in favor of their clients.

Which of the following best describes the job of a law clerk who works in a federal court?

assist federal judges by researching legal issues and helping prepare opinions

Suppose a defendant is convicted at trial but believes that the judge made an error that impacted the decision. She would first ask her case be tried again at the ________. If she were to lose at that court, she could still try again, if her argument were accepted, at the state's ________.

court of appeals; supreme court

Congress has assigned federal court jurisdictions on the basis of

geography.

Though used at times by justices on both sides of the partisan divide, which judicial philosophy refuses to go beyond the clear words of the Constitution in interpreting the document's meaning?

judicial restraint

If the Supreme Court were to decide to review a case that alleges President Biden's antiterrorism initiatives violated a citizen's civil liberties, the case likely would be an example of

judicial review of executive power.

The _____ is the top government lawyer in all cases before the U.S. Supreme Court where the government is a party.

solicitor general

The doctrine of ________ requires courts to follow authoritative prior decisions when ruling.

stare decisis

If a man is arrested because his home was searched by police without a legal warrant, he could argue in court that he had been denied

the due process of law.

The first court to hear a criminal case involving a violation of state law is called a(n) ________ court.

trial