2 Deciding Cases

Multiple Choice

Why are trials in the court described in the image much shorter than in other courts?

• Justices hear witnesses testimony

• Justices accept evidence

• Justices have a jury

• Justices do not hear witnesses testimony, accept evidence, or have a jury

Multiple Choice

What is a 'brief' as described in the image?

• A short summary of a case

• A written statement that sets forth the legal arguments, relevant facts, and precedents supporting one side of the case

• A note from law clerks to the justices

• A document outlining the schedule of the court

Drag and Drop

How long do justices participate in oral arguments for each case, according to the image?

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

30 minutes

1 hour

2 hours

The entire day

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of a written brief once a court decides to hear a case?

• To request a new trial date

• To explain how each side wants the Court to decide their case and provide arguments in support of that decision

• To introduce new evidence to the court

• To appeal the court's final decision

Multiple Choice

What is "amicus curiae"?

• A legal document demanding the enforcement of a decision

• A formal complaint against the court's procedures

• Latin for "friend of the court," a written brief from an individual or group claiming to have information useful to a court's consideration of a case

• A new law proposed during a court case

Dropdown

How long is each side given to present its case to the justices during oral arguments?

Select answer

Multiple Choice

What does the solicitor general's office do in cases where the federal government is not a party in the case?

• They do not participate at all

• They represent the opposing party

• They may choose to present in support of the party the government supports

• They act as the judge

Multiple Choice

What do justices do after oral arguments according to the image?

• They issue a ruling immediately

• They discuss the case and take a preliminary vote

• They consult external experts

• They dismiss the case

Multiple Choice

What happens if not all justices agree on a case?

• The case is automatically dismissed

• A unanimous ruling is still issued

• They might issue a concurring opinion

• The case is retried with new justices

Multiple Choice

For what purpose are written opinions used?

• Solely for historical documentation

• To communicate with Congress, the president, interest groups, and the public

• To provide entertainment in legal circles

• To determine the salary of justices

Multiple Choice

What is expected of lower courts and the executive when the Supreme Court rules a law unconstitutional?

• To enforce the law more strictly

• To continue implementing the law

• To stop implementing the law

• To appeal the Supreme Court decision

Drag and Drop

Which President refused to carry out a Supreme Court ruling barring the removal of the Cherokee Indians from Georgia?

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

President Lincoln

President Johnson

President Jackson

President Washington

Multiple Choice

On what basis does the Court decide cases?

• The personal opinions of the Justices

• The law in question and the arguments from the parties

• The most popular public opinion at the time

• The financial implications of the case

Multiple Choice

Why does the Court try to maintain public support?

• To ensure re-election of the Justices

• Because they rely on others to enforce decisions

• To increase the Court's financial resources

• To influence legislative changes

Multiple Choice

What was declared unconstitutional in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson?

• The concept of "separate but equal" education facilities

• The integration of public schools

• The use of jury trials in civil cases

• The election process of Justices