The Judicial Branch

What is the primary job of the judicial branch?

• Interpreting the law
• Punishing criminals
• Enforcing the law
• Providing a jury

Who is responsible for approving the appointment of a Supreme Court justice?

• House of Representatives
• Senate
• Speaker of The House
• President Pro Tempore

Vocab:  A court’s authority to hear and decide cases

• judicial review
• precedent
• jurisdiction
• stare decisis

Why do federal judges serve for life?

• To ensure the system of checks and balances
• To strengthen their jurisdiction over state courts
• To limit the power of the legislative and executive branches
• To maintain their independence from political and popular pressures

What is the only level of the federal court system that utilizes a jury?

• US District Courts
• US Supreme Court
• US Circuit Court of Appeals
• US District Court of Appeals

In a civil case, the person who claims to have been wronged/injured, etc. is referred to as the:

• victim
• defendant
• plaintiff
• justice

Vocab: An opinion stating the Court's decision; has been signed by at least five justices

• majority opinion
• dissenting opinion
• senatorial courtesy
• concurring opinion

Which court occupies the lowest level/tier of the federal court system?

• Court of Appeals
• Supreme Court
• District Court
• State Supreme Court

The Court claimed the power of judicial review by issuing its decision in which famous case?

• Marbury v. Madison
• McCulloch v. Maryland
• Baker v. Carr
• Gideon v. Wainwright

The power of judicial review means that the Supreme Court can ...

• declare laws passed by Congress or actions of the president to be unconstitutional
• review the Constitution and make laws
• review the Constitution and veto laws
• impeach a president or member of Congress for doing something unconstitutional