Federal Judiciary Of The United States! Trivia Quiz

1. What is the significance of the Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison?

It articulated the doctrine of habeas corpus

It established the Supreme Court's power to exercise judicial review

It limited the influence and authority of the Supreme Court

It established the doctrine of implied powers

It established the principle of equal protection of the laws as the cornerstone for expanding civil rights

The significance of the Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison is that it established the Supreme Court's power to exercise judicial review. Judicial review allows the Court to declare laws or actions by the other branches of government as unconstitutional. This decision was crucial in defining the role of the Supreme Court as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution and ensuring the balance of power among the three branches of government. It solidified the Court's authority and has had a lasting impact on American constitutional law.

Explanation

The significance of the Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison is that it established the Supreme Court's power to exercise judicial review. Judicial review allows the Court to declare laws or actions by the other branches of government as unconstitutional. This decision was crucial in defining the role of the Supreme Court as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution and ensuring the balance of power among the three branches of government. It solidified the Court's authority and has had a lasting impact on American constitutional law.

2. The decision of a federal court is most likely determined by

The argument put forth by the prosecution

The argument put forth by the defense

Precedents set in similar cases

Which law school the judge attended

Briefs submitted by the federal government

A federal court decision is most likely determined by precedents set in similar cases. Precedents refer to previous court rulings that have established a legal principle or interpretation of the law. Federal courts often follow these precedents to ensure consistency and fairness in the application of the law. By considering how similar cases have been decided in the past, judges can establish a legal framework and provide guidance for their own decision-making process. This helps to promote predictability and stability in the legal system.

Explanation

A federal court decision is most likely determined by precedents set in similar cases. Precedents refer to previous court rulings that have established a legal principle or interpretation of the law. Federal courts often follow these precedents to ensure consistency and fairness in the application of the law. By considering how similar cases have been decided in the past, judges can establish a legal framework and provide guidance for their own decision-making process. This helps to promote predictability and stability in the legal system.

3. A plaintiff cannot bring suit unless he or she has fulfilled which of the following requirements?

Paid bail

Filed an amicus curiae brief

Appealed the case

Hired a public defender

Established standing to sue

To bring a suit, a plaintiff must establish standing to sue. This means that they must demonstrate a personal stake or interest in the outcome of the case. Without standing, a plaintiff does not have the legal right to initiate a lawsuit. The other options listed are not requirements for bringing a suit. Paying bail may be necessary for release from custody, filing an amicus curiae brief is a way for a third party to provide information to the court, appealing the case is a post-trial action, and hiring a public defender is an option for those who cannot afford legal representation.

Explanation

To bring a suit, a plaintiff must establish standing to sue. This means that they must demonstrate a personal stake or interest in the outcome of the case. Without standing, a plaintiff does not have the legal right to initiate a lawsuit. The other options listed are not requirements for bringing a suit. Paying bail may be necessary for release from custody, filing an amicus curiae brief is a way for a third party to provide information to the court, appealing the case is a post-trial action, and hiring a public defender is an option for those who cannot afford legal representation.

4. Which of the following methods is an interest group most likely to use to influence the federal judiciary?

Running advertisements endorsing a Supreme Court nominee

Giving campaign contribution to prospective federal judges

Filing amicus curiae briefs

Contributing money to the Federal Judiciary Retirement Fund

Recruiting candidates to run against disliked federal judges

An interest group is most likely to use the method of filing amicus curiae briefs to influence the federal judiciary. This method allows the interest group to provide additional information or arguments to the court in cases that may affect their interests. By filing these briefs, the interest group can present their perspective and try to sway the court's decision in a way that aligns with their goals or objectives. It is a common and effective strategy used by interest groups to shape judicial outcomes.

Explanation

An interest group is most likely to use the method of filing amicus curiae briefs to influence the federal judiciary. This method allows the interest group to provide additional information or arguments to the court in cases that may affect their interests. By filing these briefs, the interest group can present their perspective and try to sway the court's decision in a way that aligns with their goals or objectives. It is a common and effective strategy used by interest groups to shape judicial outcomes.

5. Congress influences the ideology of the Supreme Court by

Passing laws to limit judicial review and prohibit judicial activism

Issuing recommendations on pending cases through the Senate Judiciary committee

Approving or rejecting the president's nomination of Supreme Court justices

Chooosing which cases the Supreme Court will hear

Nominating justices for the president's approval

Congress influences the ideology of the Supreme Court by approving or rejecting the president's nomination of Supreme Court justices. This is because the president's nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which is part of Congress. By approving or rejecting the president's choice, Congress can have a say in the ideological makeup of the Supreme Court. This process allows Congress to shape the court's ideology by either confirming nominees who align with their own views or rejecting those who do not.

Explanation

Congress influences the ideology of the Supreme Court by approving or rejecting the president's nomination of Supreme Court justices. This is because the president's nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which is part of Congress. By approving or rejecting the president's choice, Congress can have a say in the ideological makeup of the Supreme Court. This process allows Congress to shape the court's ideology by either confirming nominees who align with their own views or rejecting those who do not.

6. Which of the following statements are true about the cases on the Supreme Court's docket? I. The Supreme Court tries to hear every case that is appealed to it II. Cases pertaining to civil liberties are more likely to be placed on the docket III. The US solicitor general decides which cases the Supreme Court will hear IV. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases involving civil disputes among residents of a particular state

II only

IV only

I nad II only

II and III only

III nad IV only

The correct answer is II only. This means that only statement II is true about the cases on the Supreme Court's docket. The statement states that cases pertaining to civil liberties are more likely to be placed on the docket. This suggests that the Supreme Court prioritizes cases that involve civil liberties issues over other types of cases.

Explanation

The correct answer is II only. This means that only statement II is true about the cases on the Supreme Court's docket. The statement states that cases pertaining to civil liberties are more likely to be placed on the docket. This suggests that the Supreme Court prioritizes cases that involve civil liberties issues over other types of cases.

7. Courts with appellate jurisdiction focus their attention on which aspect of a case?

The facts presented by both parties in the original case

The amicus curiae briefs registered with the court

The backbrounds of the jury members in the original case

The legal issues involved in the original case

Teh testimonies of both sides given before the Supreme Court

Courts with appellate jurisdiction focus their attention on the legal issues involved in the original case. Appellate courts do not re-examine the facts or evidence presented in the original trial, but rather review the legal arguments and decisions made by the lower court. They analyze whether the lower court correctly applied the law and determine if any errors were made in the legal process. The focus is on ensuring that the law was correctly interpreted and applied, rather than reevaluating the facts of the case.

Explanation

Courts with appellate jurisdiction focus their attention on the legal issues involved in the original case. Appellate courts do not re-examine the facts or evidence presented in the original trial, but rather review the legal arguments and decisions made by the lower court. They analyze whether the lower court correctly applied the law and determine if any errors were made in the legal process. The focus is on ensuring that the law was correctly interpreted and applied, rather than reevaluating the facts of the case.

8. Which one of the following is NOT true about the federal district courts?

Congress gave federal district judges jurisdiction over diversity of citizenship cases

They are entry points for most litigation in the federal court system

They hear appeals from municipal, county, and state courts

They are the only federal courts in which trials are held, and juries may be impaneled

Each district has between 2 and 28 judges, with one judge usually presiding alone over most cases

The federal district courts do not hear appeals from municipal, county, and state courts. Appeals from these courts are usually heard by higher appellate courts, such as the circuit courts of appeals or state supreme courts. Federal district courts are the entry points for most litigation in the federal court system, they have jurisdiction over diversity of citizenship cases, they hold trials and impanel juries, and each district has between 2 and 28 judges.

Explanation

The federal district courts do not hear appeals from municipal, county, and state courts. Appeals from these courts are usually heard by higher appellate courts, such as the circuit courts of appeals or state supreme courts. Federal district courts are the entry points for most litigation in the federal court system, they have jurisdiction over diversity of citizenship cases, they hold trials and impanel juries, and each district has between 2 and 28 judges.

9. Which of the following is the most frequent outcome of a case on the Supreme Court's docket?

It significantly alters current policies

The justices vote unanimously

It reverses the decision of the lower court

It overrules the Court's own precedent

The lower court's decision stands

The most frequent outcome of a case on the Supreme Court's docket is that the lower court's decision stands. This means that the Supreme Court chooses not to intervene and allows the decision made by the lower court to remain in effect. This could be because the Supreme Court agrees with the lower court's decision, or because they do not believe the case presents a significant enough issue to warrant their review.

Explanation

The most frequent outcome of a case on the Supreme Court's docket is that the lower court's decision stands. This means that the Supreme Court chooses not to intervene and allows the decision made by the lower court to remain in effect. This could be because the Supreme Court agrees with the lower court's decision, or because they do not believe the case presents a significant enough issue to warrant their review.

10. All of the following statements accurately describe the federal court system EXCEPT

Very few federal cases actually go to trial

Federal courts only handle cases involving federal laws

All federal judges must be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate

Lower courts are expected to adhere to the precedents set by higher courts

Some federal courts have original jurisdiction, whereas others have appellate jurisdiction

The given answer is correct because it accurately describes the federal court system. Federal courts do not only handle cases involving federal laws, but they also handle cases involving state laws and constitutional issues. Federal courts have jurisdiction over a wide range of cases, including civil, criminal, and administrative cases. Therefore, the statement that federal courts only handle cases involving federal laws is incorrect.

Explanation

The given answer is correct because it accurately describes the federal court system. Federal courts do not only handle cases involving federal laws, but they also handle cases involving state laws and constitutional issues. Federal courts have jurisdiction over a wide range of cases, including civil, criminal, and administrative cases. Therefore, the statement that federal courts only handle cases involving federal laws is incorrect.