The Judicial Branch Questionaire - Spring 2023 - Past Paper PDF

**The Judicial Branch Questionnaire** 1. What Article does the Constitution talk about the Judicial Branch? Article III 2. How long do Federal Judges and Supreme Court Justices serve? Meaning what is the term of them both? They serve for life or, until they retire, die, or are convicted...

**The Judicial Branch Questionnaire** 1. What Article does the Constitution talk about the Judicial Branch? Article III 2. How long do Federal Judges and Supreme Court Justices serve? Meaning what is the term of them both? They serve for life or, until they retire, die, or are convicted by the senate 3. How can federal judges or Supreme Court Justices be removed? Through impeachement by the House of Representatives and conviction in the Senate. 4. If you had to define the Supreme Court, what would you say it is? The highest court in law. 5. Why is it considered the "Court of Last Resort?" There ca be no appeal from its decision. 6. What qualifications does the Constitution say is needed for a Supreme Court Justice? The Constitution does not specify qualifications for Justices such as age, education. profession, or native-born citizenship. 7. How many Supreme Court Justices are there now? There are nine supreme court justices 8. How are the numbers of the Supreme Court established? They are established by Congress, which determine how many justices can sit on a court. 9. What role does the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court do? They supervise the process of selecting the case the court will hear, the public sessions or hearings, and the subsequent votes of the nine Justices. 10. What is the "rule of four" as it applies to the Supreme Court? Where the justices have discretion as to whether to hear an appeal, at least four of the Courts members must vote to grant a writ of certiorari, which facilitates a full review on the merits. 11. Who is the plaintiff in a court case? a. Criminal -- the state prosecuting someone charged with committing a crime i. What is the role of the Prosecutor? They represent the people of their jurisdiction and have a duty to seek justice in every case, carefully evaluating the evidence presented and protecting the rights of the accused. b. Civil - The person who begins a lawsuit 12. Who is the defendant in a court case? c. Criminal -- The person who has been charged with a crime. d. Civil - The person or party they are filing against. 13. What is a petit jury? Is a trial jury that listens to evidence presented in both civil and criminal cases and ultimately delivers a verdict. 14. Define the steps in a criminal case e. Arrest : The police or sheriff\'s department arrest the defendant or issue a citation to appear in court. f. Arraignment: The defendant\'s first court appearance, where the judge reads the charges against them and the defendant enters a plea. g. Preliminary Hearing: A court proceeding that determines if there is enough evidence to try a defendant for a crime. h. Plea Bargaining: The defendant and the government may agree to a plea bargain, where the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a concession from the prosecuter. i. Trial : The defendant and the government may agree to a plea bargain, where the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a concession from the prosecuter j. Verdict:An opinion or decision made after judging the facts that are given, especially one made at the end of a trial k. Sentencing The defendant is sentenced l. Appeal: The defendant can appeal if they believe there were errors during the trial, such as evidence being excluded in error. 15. What is the definition of a criminal case? A legal proceeding in which a government prosecutor charges a person or organization with breaking the law. m. What is the burden of proof in a Criminal case? Must find them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 16. What is the definition of a civil case? Must find them guilty of preponderance of the evidence. n. What is the burden of proof in a Civil case? In a civil lawsuit, the burden of proof rests on the plaintiff or the person filing the suit. 17. What are precedents? (What's the definition of a precedent?) A precedent is a court decision that serves as a basis for deciding similar cases in the future. 18. What was the precedent established in the following Supreme Court cases? o. Marbury vs. Madison (Very first SC case) the power of the judicial review p. Plessy vs. Ferguson Established the constitutionality of racial segregation. q. Brown vs. Board of Education Separating children in public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional.