Question 1

Regarding Supreme Court procedures,which one of the following statements is NOT accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  When part of the majority,the chief justice decides which justice will write the majority opinion.
B)  A concurring opinion is a view written by a justice who votes with the majority and agrees with its reasoning.
C)  A dissenting opinion is an opinion of a judge who votes against the majority.
D)  Attorneys who argue a case before the Supreme Court operate under strict time limits.
E)  The Court has broad standards in choosing the cases it will hear.F) All of the above
G) A) and B)

Question 2

The discretionary power of judges is less than that of elected officials because judges

Accepted Answer

A)  are prohibited from relying on personal judgment when deciding an issue.
B)  must make decisions that can be justified in terms of existing provisions of the law.
C)  are prohibited from addressing issues that have not been previously addressed by elected officials.
D)  are prohibited from taking into account the political consequences of a decision.
E)  must render rulings on all appeals.Essay QuestionsF) B) and E)
G) A) and C)

Question 3

Over the last fifteen or so years,the Supreme Court can BEST be said to be practicing judicial

Accepted Answer

A)  activism.
B)  liberalism.
C)  restraint.
D)  socialism.
E)  relativism.F) A) and E)
G) B) and C) C

Question 4

Senatorial courtesy refers to the tradition whereby

Accepted Answer

A)  nominees for federal judgeships are treated with respect during Senate confirmation hearings,even by senators who plan to vote against the nominee.
B)  senators usually defer to the president's choice of Supreme Court nominees.
C)  senators are consulted on the nomination of lower-court federal judgeships in their state.
D)  nominations for the federal courts,once committee hearings are concluded,are scheduled for a vote ahead of other Senate business.
E)  House members always defer to the Senate on matters dealing with the judiciary.F) C) and D)
G) A) and B)

Question 5

There are __ federal courts of appeal.

Accepted Answer

A)  2
B)  13
C)  50
D)  94
E)  435F) C) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 6

Which of the following Supreme Court justices was appointed during the Clinton administration?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sandra Day O'Connor
B)  Clarence Thomas
C)  Ruth Bader Ginsburg
D)  Robert Bork
E)  John Paul StevensF) None of the above
G) C) and E)

Question 7

Distinguish between the facts of a case and the relevant laws of a case.Discuss the three main sources of laws.

Accepted Answer

The legal constraints on a court when he...

Question 8

The merit plan applies to ________ in the ________ court system.

Accepted Answer

A)  selection of judges;federal
B)  selection of judges;state
C)  jurisdiction;federal
D)  jurisdiction;state
E)  None of these answers is correct.F) A) and C)
G) A) and B) B

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

A)  issue advisory opinions when Congress is considering a new bill.
B)  impeach federal judges who consistently ignore its rulings.
C)  declare another institution's action to be unconstitutional.
D)  override any decision of a state court.
E)  issue advisory opinions to the president on a regular basis.F) B) and E)
G) None of the above

Question 10

In most instances,

Accepted Answer

A)  criminal cases are tried in federal courts and civil cases are tried in state courts.
B)  criminal cases are tried in state courts and civil cases are tried in federal courts.
C)  both criminal cases and civil cases are tried in federal courts.
D)  both criminal cases and civil cases are tried in state courts.
E)  None of these answers is correct.F) A) and E)
G) All of the above

Question 11

The Lawrence v.Texas decision in 2003 involved

Accepted Answer

A)  the Supreme Court reinterpreting a provision of the Constitution.
B)  the Supreme Court striking down federal law.
C)  the Supreme Court invalidating state laws.
D)  the Supreme Court striking down an executive action as unconstitutional.
E)  a U.S.appeals court upholding a lower state court ruling.F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 12

With regard to public opinion,the Supreme Court

Accepted Answer

A)  ignores it in order to make decisions that are based on enduring values rather than the public's passing whims.
B)  remains uninformed about it because justices stay on the bench for life and never face the public scrutiny of an election.
C)  attempts to stay close enough to public opinion so as to avoid outright defiance of its decisions.
D)  attempts to follow it very closely in order to create public enthusiasm for its rulings.
E)  None of these answers is correct.F) A) and B)
G) C) and D)

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

A)  1
B)  10
C)  25
D)  33
E)  50F) A) and C)
G) All of the above

Question 14

The constitutional provision that federal judges and justices hold office "during good behavior" has

Accepted Answer

A)  meant,in effect,that they will serve until they die or choose to retire.
B)  provided them the opportunity to carry out their duties without immediate fear of reprisal by the president or Congress.
C)  enabled presidents to influence judicial policy through their appointments long after leaving the White House.
D)  had all of these effects: Federal judges and justices serve,effectively,until they die or choose to retire;they are provided the opportunity to carry out their duties without immediate fear of reprisal by the president or Congress;and presidents are able to influence judicial policy through their appointments long after leaving the White House.
E)  None of these answers is correct.F) A) and E)
G) A) and C)

Question 15

The laws applicable to a case

Accepted Answer

A)  reveal the relevant circumstances of the case,and are determined solely by trial courts.
B)  are more important than the facts of a case,and supersede the facts when the two conflict.
C)  constrain the judiciary,because court decisions must be based on applicable laws.
D)  apply only in the area of criminal cases and not in the area of civil disputes.
E)  None of these answers is correct.F) B) and C)
G) None of the above

Question 16

What is meant by the term jurisdiction? What is the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction as it applies to the U.S.Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

A court's jurisdiction is its authority ...

Question 17

What are the constitutional requirements to be a federal judge?

Accepted Answer

A)  at least 30 years old and a citizen of the United States
B)  at least 25 years old and a citizen of the United States
C)  at least 30 years old and a resident of the specific judicial district
D)  at least 30 years old and a lawyer in good standing with the state bar
E)  There are no constitutional requirements to be a federal judge.F) A) and C)
G) A) and D) E

Question 18

According to living constitution theory

Accepted Answer

A)  the Supreme Court should rule as the Founding Fathers would have back in 1787.
B)  the Constitution should be adaptable to current conditions and challenges.
C)  the Supreme Court cycles between periods of judicial activism and periods of judicial restraint.
D)  there is one single Constitution rooted in natural law that applies in every country throughout history.
E)  None of these answers is correct.F) A) and C)
G) All of the above

Question 19

Describe the relationship between the federal and the state court systems.

Accepted Answer

As a consequence of the separation of st...

Question 20

Describe the four types of U.S.Supreme Court opinions.

Accepted Answer

There are four types of U.S.Supreme Cour...

Exam 14: The Federal Judicial System: Applying the Law

Regarding Supreme Court procedures,which one of the following statements is NOT accurate?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The discretionary power of judges is less than that of elected officials because judges

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Over the last fifteen or so years,the Supreme Court can BEST be said to be practicing judicial

Correct AnswerverifiedC

Senatorial courtesy refers to the tradition whereby

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

There are __ federal courts of appeal.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following Supreme Court justices was appointed during the Clinton administration?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Distinguish between the facts of a case and the relevant laws of a case.Discuss the three main sources of laws.

Correct AnswerverifiedThe legal constraints on a court when he...View AnswerShow Answer

The merit plan applies to ________ in the ________ court system.

Correct AnswerverifiedB

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In most instances,

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Lawrence v.Texas decision in 2003 involved

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

With regard to public opinion,the Supreme Court

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The constitutional provision that federal judges and justices hold office "during good behavior" has

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The laws applicable to a case

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is meant by the term jurisdiction? What is the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction as it applies to the U.S.Supreme Court?

Correct AnswerverifiedA court's jurisdiction is its authority ...View AnswerShow Answer

What are the constitutional requirements to be a federal judge?

Correct AnswerverifiedE

According to living constitution theory

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Describe the relationship between the federal and the state court systems.

Correct AnswerverifiedAs a consequence of the separation of st...View AnswerShow Answer

Describe the four types of U.S.Supreme Court opinions.

Correct AnswerverifiedThere are four types of U.S.Supreme Cour...View AnswerShow Answer

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C

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The legal constraints on a court when he...
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The merit plan applies to in the court system.

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B

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A court's jurisdiction is its authority ...
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E

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As a consequence of the separation of st...
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There are four types of U.S.Supreme Cour...
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