Chapter 7: Judicial Branch P. 318

Chapter 7: Judicial Branch p. 318

Section 1: National Judiciary

1. Why did the framers believe that an independent judiciary was so important?

1. The Judiciary is a dual court system. What does this mean?

1. What are the two types of federal courts?

1. The only court created by the Framers in the Constitution is the Supreme Court. What institution was left to create all inferior courts?

1. Define jurisdiction.

1. Define original jurisdiction. What type of courts have this?

1. Define appellate jurisdiction. What type of courts have this?

1. What is the constitutional process for appointing members to the Court?

1. What is senatorial courtesy?

1. What are the Constitutional requirements for serving on the Court?

1. Who was the first female appointed to the Supreme Court? First African American?

1. What is a major criteria President’s use when appointing judges and Justices?

1. What are the two judicial philosophies judges use in interpreting the Constitution?

1. Define judicial restraint.

1. Define judicial activism.

1. What is the term for all Constitutional court judges?

1. What is the only way to remove these judges?

Chapter 7: Judicial Branch p. 318

Section 2: The Supreme Court

1. What is the composition of the Supreme Court? Who sets this number?

1. Define judicial review. What court case established this?

1. How many Justices must agree to accept a case to the Court?

1. What percent of cases appealed to the Court will actually be tried? (Must do the math)

1. Define writ of certiorari.

1. What happens if a case is not accepted by the Court?

1. What must the attorneys on both sides of the argument present before the case is tried? What is the purpose of these?

1. Once the decision has been made, the Justices now write the opinion. Define three types of opinions handed down by the Court.

1. What is stare decisis? Critical thinking: Does this principle follow judicial restraint or judicial activism?

Section 3: Inferior Courts and Special Courts

District Courts

1. How many district courts (aka trial courts) are there in the United States?

1. What is the difference between criminal and civil cases? Give examples.

Appellate Courts

1. How many appellate courts (aka court of appeals) are there in the United States?
2. What type of jurisdiction do these courts have?

1. How are cases heard in this type of court which varies from the district courts?