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Questions and Answers
What is the highest federal court established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution?
What is the highest federal court established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution?
Federal District Courts have jurisdiction over federal criminal cases.
Federal District Courts have jurisdiction over federal criminal cases.
True
How many justices make up the Supreme Court?
How many justices make up the Supreme Court?
9
The federal courts hear civil cases where the parties are from different states disputing more than $_____
The federal courts hear civil cases where the parties are from different states disputing more than $_____
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Which of the following issues is NOT heard by the Federal Circuit?
Which of the following issues is NOT heard by the Federal Circuit?
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Federal court judges are appointed for life and can only be removed through impeachment.
Federal court judges are appointed for life and can only be removed through impeachment.
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What are the names of the courts that hear appeals from the federal district courts?
What are the names of the courts that hear appeals from the federal district courts?
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Match the following federal court types with their characteristics:
Match the following federal court types with their characteristics:
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What was the primary outcome of the Brown v. Board of Education case?
What was the primary outcome of the Brown v. Board of Education case?
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The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) must hear all petitions for certiorari.
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) must hear all petitions for certiorari.
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What is the percentage of federal cases preferred by SCOTUS compared to state cases?
What is the percentage of federal cases preferred by SCOTUS compared to state cases?
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The losing party at the federal appellate level or state supreme court is the one to appeal to ______.
The losing party at the federal appellate level or state supreme court is the one to appeal to ______.
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Match the following attributes with their descriptions:
Match the following attributes with their descriptions:
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How many justices must agree to grant a petition for certiorari?
How many justices must agree to grant a petition for certiorari?
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Once a case is decided, SCOTUS does not release their opinions to the public.
Once a case is decided, SCOTUS does not release their opinions to the public.
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What significant issues does SCOTUS often decide on?
What significant issues does SCOTUS often decide on?
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Study Notes
Federal Court System
- The United States court system is the judicial branch.
- Federal courts hear cases involving federal law or civil cases between states with disputes over $75,000.
- The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) is the highest court, established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution.
- Congress has the power to create lower federal courts.
- The U.S. has 94 district courts, each with a federal trial court (including bankruptcy courts).
- Each district is part of 12 regional circuits, each with a court of appeals to ensure judges apply the law correctly.
- A federal circuit court handles cases nationwide but only on specific issues (e.g., international trade, patent law, veterans' issues, monetary claims against the government).
Federal Court Judges
- Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
- Protected from removal except through impeachment.
Supreme Court (SCOTUS)
- Composed of 9 justices.
- Interprets the Constitution and sets legal precedents.
- Decisions are made by majority rule.
- All U.S. courts must respect, and follow, SCOTUS decisions.
SCOTUS Case Procedures
- Thousands of petitions for review (certiorari) are filed annually.
- SCOTUS has discretion on which cases to hear (approximately 80 cases/year).
- Both the petitioner and respondent submit legal brief arguments for/against the case.
- Justices hold oral arguments, allowing 30-minute presentations from each side.
- Justices then meet privately to discuss and draft opinions.
- Decisions and court opinions are then made public.
- SCOTUS frequently revises or negates lower court decisions.
Significant SCOTUS Cases
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Overturned segregation in public schools.
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Description
Explore the structure and functions of the United States federal court system in this quiz. Learn about the different types of federal courts, the role of the Supreme Court, and how federal judges are appointed. Test your knowledge of this crucial aspect of the U.S. judicial branch.
