Chapter 7 Civics Study Guide

A Supreme Court justice is indeed selected by the president and approved by the Senate. This process is outlined in the United States Constitution. The president has the authority to nominate a candidate for the position of Supreme Court justice, and then the Senate must confirm the nomination through a majority vote. This process ensures that the selection of Supreme Court justices is a collaborative effort between the executive and legislative branches of government.

Any behavior that is illegal and causes harm to society is considered a crime. Crimes are actions or activities that are prohibited by law and are punishable by the legal system. They can range from minor offenses to more serious crimes, such as theft, assault, or murder. Crimes disrupt the social order and can have negative consequences for individuals and communities. It is essential to identify and address crimes to maintain a safe and functioning society.

The Supreme Court has 9 justices. Justices are the judges who serve on the Supreme Court. They are responsible for interpreting and applying the law in cases brought before the court. The number of justices is set by law and can only be changed by an act of Congress. Having 9 justices allows for a diverse range of perspectives and ensures a balanced decision-making process.

Constitutional law refers to a law that is interpreted by the Supreme Court from the Constitution. This type of law deals with the fundamental principles and rights outlined in the Constitution, such as the division of powers, individual rights, and the structure of government. The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in interpreting and applying the Constitution, ensuring that laws and government actions are in line with its provisions. Therefore, constitutional law is the correct answer in this context.

Judges are allowed to make decisions based on common sense or previous cases. Common sense refers to the ability to use practical judgment and reasoning based on one's own experiences and knowledge. Previous cases, also known as precedents, are legal decisions made by higher courts that serve as a guide for judges when deciding similar cases. Both common sense and previous cases are important factors that judges consider when making decisions in order to ensure fairness and consistency in the legal system. Therefore, the statement that judges are not allowed to make decisions based on common sense or previous cases is false.

Justices are not appointed to the Supreme Court for 10-year terms. Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed for life, unless they choose to retire or are impeached. The lifetime appointment is intended to ensure judicial independence and prevent justices from being influenced by political pressures or the need to seek reappointment. This allows justices to make decisions based on the Constitution and the law, rather than popular opinion or political considerations.

The highest level of courts in America is the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the final authority on legal matters and has the power to interpret the Constitution and make decisions that are binding on all lower courts. It consists of nine justices who are appointed for life by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in shaping the laws and policies of the United States.

The statement is true because criminal and civic laws are indeed the two main categories of laws. Criminal laws deal with crimes committed against society as a whole and are enforced by the government. They involve offenses like murder, theft, and assault. On the other hand, civic laws, also known as civil laws, govern the relationships between individuals and organizations. They cover areas such as contracts, property, and family law. Therefore, the statement accurately describes the two fundamental categories of laws.

Federal judges in the US, with the exception of those in the US territories, are appointed for life by the president and approved by the Senate. This means that once appointed, federal judges hold their positions until they choose to retire or are impeached by Congress. This system is designed to ensure the independence of the judiciary and protect judges from political influence or pressure. It allows judges to make decisions based on the law and the Constitution, rather than being subject to popular opinion or political considerations.

Criminal law is the branch of law that deals with crimes and offenses committed against society as a whole, rather than disputes between individuals. It focuses on the punishment and rehabilitation of individuals who have committed crimes, rather than resolving conflicts between people. Therefore, the given statement is false.

Common law is a legal system based on customs, traditions, and previous court decisions, rather than on written laws or statutes. It is a body of law that has developed over time through judicial decisions and is applied by judges in similar cases. Common law is often contrasted with statutory law, which is law enacted by legislatures, and administrative law, which is law created by administrative agencies. Constitutional law, on the other hand, refers to the body of law that governs the interpretation and application of a country's constitution.

District courts are the lowest level of courts in the judicial system. They are responsible for handling a wide range of cases, including criminal, civil, and family matters. District courts are usually the first level of court where cases are heard and decided upon. They have limited jurisdiction and their decisions can be appealed to higher courts if necessary.

In a criminal case, the accused has the right to confront their accuser as part of their due process rights. This right is protected by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which guarantees the accused the right "to be confronted with the witnesses against him." This means that the accused has the opportunity to cross-examine the accuser and challenge their testimony in court. Therefore, the statement that the accused may not confront the accuser is false.

Most criminal laws are statutory laws because statutory laws are laws that are created and enacted by a legislative body, such as a government or a parliament. Criminal laws, which define and regulate behaviors that are considered harmful to society, are typically created and codified through a legislative process. This ensures that the laws are clear, consistent, and enforceable. Therefore, it is accurate to say that most criminal laws are statutory laws.

Administrative law refers to the body of law that governs the activities of administrative agencies, which are government bodies created by legislation to carry out specific functions. These agencies have the power to create rules and regulations that affect various aspects of our everyday lives, such as environmental regulations, workplace safety standards, and consumer protection laws. Therefore, administrative law is the correct answer as it accurately describes the type of law that is created by agencies and has a direct impact on our daily lives.

This statement is incorrect. In America, as in most democratic countries, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This principle is a fundamental part of the legal system and ensures that individuals are not unjustly punished without sufficient evidence. The burden of proof lies with the prosecution, who must provide evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to establish guilt.

There are 94 federal district courts in the United States. Each state has at least one district court, and some states have multiple districts. These courts are the trial courts of the federal judicial system and handle a wide range of cases, including civil and criminal matters. The number 94 accurately reflects the current structure of the federal district court system in the United States.

The statement is false because Congress does not have the power to rule a Supreme Court decision unconstitutional. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and has the authority to interpret the Constitution. It is the role of the Supreme Court to determine whether a law or action is constitutional or not. Congress, on the other hand, is responsible for making laws, but it does not have the power to overturn or invalidate a Supreme Court decision.

Statutory law refers to laws that are created by legislative bodies such as Congress and state legislators. These laws are written and enacted by these bodies and are codified in statutes or codes. They are binding and enforceable for all individuals and entities within the jurisdiction. Statutory laws cover a wide range of legal issues and are an essential part of the legal system. Common law, on the other hand, refers to laws that are developed through court decisions and precedents. Administrative law pertains to laws created by administrative agencies, while constitutional law refers to laws derived from the constitution.

In a court of appeals, a panel of at least three judges decides the cases. This means that there can be more than three judges on the panel, but there must be at least three judges present to make a decision. The number of judges may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the complexity of the case, but a minimum of three judges is required for a valid decision.

The statement is false because there are actually three levels of courts in the United States: the trial courts, the appellate courts, and the Supreme Court. The trial courts are the first level where cases are initially heard, the appellate courts are the second level where appeals from the trial courts are heard, and the Supreme Court is the highest level where appeals from the appellate courts are heard. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

Judges often refer to previous court decisions, known as precedents, when making rulings on similar cases. Precedents serve as a legal authority and guide judges in their decision-making process. By following precedents, judges maintain consistency and fairness in the legal system. They consider the reasoning and outcomes of previous cases to ensure that similar cases are treated similarly. This practice helps establish a predictable and stable legal framework.

The statement is incorrect. Original jurisdiction refers to the power of a court to hear a case for the first time, while appellate jurisdiction refers to the power of a court to review and hear appeals from lower courts. Appellate jurisdiction is higher in authority than original jurisdiction, as it has the power to review and potentially overturn decisions made by lower courts. Therefore, appellate jurisdiction has power over original jurisdiction, making the given answer false.

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and has the authority to make final decisions on cases. Justices on the Supreme Court not only make final decisions but also write opinions on the cases they hear. These opinions explain the reasoning behind the decision and provide legal analysis. Therefore, the answer "where justices write opinions on cases" and "makes final decisions" both accurately describe the role of the Supreme Court.