US Judiciary System Quiz

Question 1

• Congress can influence the federal judiciary by changing appellate jurisdiction of federal courts.

Question 2

• In the US judicial system, when a judge bases a decision on past similar cases, they're following the principle of stare decisis.

Question 3

• The rule of four is applied when at least four justices on the Supreme Court agree a case should be placed on its docket.

Question 4

• Judicial activism involves judges actively interpreting the Constitution based on contemporary values. Conversely, judicial restraint limits judicial interpretation to the Constitution's original intent.

Question 5

• A non-party stakeholder can influence a case by submitting an amicus curiae brief.

Question 6

• The Supreme Court established in Marbury v. Madison that it can declare federal laws unconstitutional.

Question 7

• An example of checks and balances is the requirement for Senate approval of presidential Supreme Court appointments.

Question 8

• An originalist justice would consider the historical context and original intent of the Constitution when assessing the commerce power of Congress.

Question 9

• Judicial activism is characterized by judges interpreting the Constitution based on modern values and societal needs, not just its original intent.

Question 10

• The Supreme Court's most important role regarding lower courts is establishing precedents for future rulings.

Question 11

• Court prestige and public consensus can affect the implementation of Supreme Court decisions. Public opinion might limit the extent to which the Court will make decisions that differ from public consensus about an issue.

Question 12

• A justiciable dispute is a case or controversy that can be settled through legal means.

Question 13

• A precedent is a court decision that establishes a rule or principle of law that other courts must follow in similar cases. A precedent is a prior court decision that can be used as a guide when deciding future cases.

Question 14

• The three levels of the federal court system are district courts, circuit courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court.

Question 15

• A writ of certiorari is a formal request by the Supreme Court to review a lower court decision.

Question 16

• The federal judiciary is an adversary system, not passive and reactive.

Question 17

• Original jurisdiction is the power of a court to hear a case for the first time.

Question 18

• All judicial nominations are referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing and committee vote.

Question 19

• Stare decisis is the principle that courts should follow precedents established in prior decisions. A brief filed by a non-party is referred to as a "friend of the court brief" or "amicus curiae brief"

Question 20

• A writ of habeas corpus is a court order requiring explanation for a prisoner's detention.

Question 21

• Judicial restraint is a philosophy where judges should limit their interpretation to the original wording and intent of the Constitution.

Question 22

• No specific answer provided in this question. (Requires additional context).

Question 23

• Specialized courts deal with unique legal issues arising from legislation.

Question 24

• Congress's most direct influence on lower federal court cases is through the jurisdiction of those lower courts.

Question 25

• The Supreme Court has supported congressional limitations on presidential powers, such as those regarding the commander-in-chief.

Question 26

• Marbury v. Madison is a case dealing with original jurisdiction since the dispute was brought directly to the Supreme Court.

Question 27

• No specific answer provided in this question. (Requires additional context).

Question 28

• The judiciary is the least dangerous branch of government because it lacks the power of the sword or the purse.

Question 29

• Hamilton would support the idea that the Court's authority is independent of Congress or the President.

Question 30

• A comparison of executive and judicial powers is not provided in the table, thus there is not a correct answer.