Question 1

A judicial decision that establishes a rule for settling subsequent cases of a similar nature is a

Accepted Answer

Precedent

Question 2

The power of the Supreme Court is most apparent in its ability to

Accepted Answer

declare another institution's action to be unconstitutional

Question 3

Compared with the decision in a Supreme Court case, the opinion is more significant because it

Accepted Answer

informs others of the Court's interpretation of the laws and thereby guides their decisions

Question 4

The federal district courts

Accepted Answer

are the chief trial courts of the federal system  exist in each state  are the courts that, in practice, make the final decision in most federal cases  are the only federal courts where the two sides present their case to a jury for a verdict

Question 5

The U.S. courts of appeals

Accepted Answer

review District Court decisions

Question 6

The appointment of federal judges is influenced most substantially by

Accepted Answer

partisanship

Question 7

The federal court myth overlooks the fact that

Accepted Answer

most cases arise under state law, not federal law; nearly all cases that originate in state courts are never reviewed by federal courts; and federal courts must normally accept the facts of a case as determined by a state court when reviewing its decision

Question 8

According to the Constitution, the federal courts can issue a decision only

Accepted Answer

in response to actual legal cases

Question 9

The facts of a case

Accepted Answer

affect which law or laws will apply to the case

Question 10

The judiciary's status as an independent branch of national government depends on judicial review, which grants the judiciary the authority to

Accepted Answer

invalidate the actions of other institutions when judges believe they have acted unconstitutionally

Question 11

The term stare decisis refers to

Accepted Answer

adherence to precedent

Question 12

With regard to public opinion, the Supreme Court

Accepted Answer

attempts to stay close enough to public opinion so as to avoid outright defiance of its decisions

Question 13

Fewer than ________ percent of the cases heard by federal appeals courts are later reviewed by the Supreme Court

Accepted Answer

1

Question 14

According to the doctrine of judicial restraint, the judiciary should

Accepted Answer

defer to precedent and to decisions made by legislature

Question 15

Which of the following is a recent trend in the appointment of new federal judges and justices?

Accepted Answer

an increase in the number of federal judges and justices with prior judicial experience

Question 16

The Supreme Court is likely to grant a hearing when a case involves

Accepted Answer

an issue that is being decided inconsistently by the lower courts, also called a circuit split

Question 17

In selecting judges, the states rely on what method?

Accepted Answer

competitive elections of a nonpartisan nature  merit selection  political appointment  competitive elections of a partisan nature

Question 18

About ________ percent of the nation's legal cases are decided in state court systems

Accepted Answer

95

Question 19

The lowest level of the federal court system is the

Accepted Answer

district court

Question 20

The number and types of lower federal courts is established by

Accepted Answer

congress

The Judiciary

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you need?