Ch. 14 The Courts
Jurisdiction refers to
a court's area of authority.
In Lawrence v. Texas, the Supreme Court struck down a law banning sodomy in Texas. This is an example of judicial
activism
Which of the following is the MOST common path that a case takes to get to the Supreme Court?
writ of certiorari
How many justices must agree to hear a case in order for it to be granted a writ of certiorari?
4
Which president threatened to pack the Court with justices who would support his policies?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Which of the following is NOT a criterion by which the Supreme Court decides whether to hear a case?
amicus curiae
The Judiciary Act of 1789
created a system of federal courts.
What does the term standing refer to?
the legitimate justification for bringing a civil case to court
If a plaintiff and defendant settle a case before it goes to trial or a verdict is reached, this is called a
plea bargain
Those who believe in a living Constitution
take into account evolving national attitudes in interpreting the document.
Congress may change all of the following EXCEPT
the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction
Appellate jurisdiction refers to the Court's power to
hear appeals from lower courts.
Congress can overturn certain Supreme Court decisions merely by passing a new law. They can do this in cases of
statutory interpretations
Those who believe that we should go by the exact words written in the Constitution are known as
strict constructionists
These days, what role does the Senate play in confirming judges?
It plays an active role.
Basic details about the federal court system, such as the creation of district courts and the size of the Supreme Court, are found in what document?
Judiciary Act of 1789
Judicial review was established in the case of
Marbury v. Madison.
What is a class-action lawsuit?
a civil lawsuit brought by a group of individuals
Who is MOST likely to submit an amicus curiae brief?
an interest group
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review was established
as a result of Marbury v. Madison.
Interest groups are most likely to be involved in the Supreme Court's legal process in which way?
by filing an amicus curiae brief
A(n) __________ is a legal action by which a group of individuals with common interests can file a suit on behalf of everyone who shares that interest.
class-action suit
Bilbo is arrested for theft. He is charged by the courts and the case goes to trial. In this example, Bilbo is the
defendant
The __________ approach to deciding Supreme Court cases says that justices should attempt to defer to the elected branches of government and not contradict their actions.
judicial restraint
As the power of __________ has evolved, it has become a central part of the system of checks and balances.
judicial review
When the Supreme Court strikes down a congressional or state law, it engages in
judicial review
In a similar previous case the court ruled for the plaintiff. The court will now consider that previous ruling in deciding how to deal with the current case. This is an example of
precedent
Which figure argues cases on behalf of the federal government before the Supreme Court?
solicitor general
At the outset of a case, judges determine whether the person filing the case has a legitimate basis for bringing it; this is called
standing