Unit 7 The Judicial Branch Unit Review

Where is a person tried when they are accused of a federal crime?

• in a federal district court
• in a federal appellate court
• in the United States Supreme Court
• in a local court in the accused's home state

How are the federal appellate courts and the United States Supreme Court alike?

• Both must accept the rulings of district court judges.
• Both hear the testimony of witnesses and decide upon the guilt or innocence of accused persons.
• Both can overrule the findings of state supreme courts.
• Both decide whether cases originating in federal district courts were handled fairly and constitutionally.

Which of the following can federal appeals courts NOT do?

• Uphold the decisions of the lower courts
• Recommend cases be heard by the Supreme Court
• Overturn the decisions of the district courts
• Remand cases back to the lower courts

Why do the losing parties in civil trials and convicted criminals seek to involve the federal appeals courts in their cases?

• so that new appellate juries will hear the facts of their cases
• because they feel that laws were incorrectly interpreted or applied in their cases
  
• because they believe that their cases should be heard by magistrate judges
• in order to force the winning side or the prosecution to present its evidence again

How are federal judges selected?

• Candidates are nominated and appointed by the Supreme Court unless the president uses the veto.
• Candidates are nominated by Congress and voted upon by citizens over the age of 18 in federal elections.
• Candidates are nominated and appointed by the president if the Senate approves by a majority vote.
• Candidates are nominated by current federal judges and appointed by Congress if the House approves by a two-thirds majority vote.

What is the main duty of the United States Supreme Court?

• to hear and rule on cases
• to ratify or veto laws
• to sentence or parole convicted criminals
• to appoint judges to lower federal courts

Which description best shows the Supreme Court's power of judicial review?

• the power to prevent unconstitutional laws from being passed by Congress
• the power to overturn any federal appointment made by the president
• the power to determine the constitutionality of federal, state, and local laws
• the power to demand to hear a district court case before the appellate courts

Why was Marbury v. Madison a significant Supreme Court case?

• It held that the right to vote in the United States could not be denied to citizens based on gender or race.
• It established that the Supreme Court had the power of judicial review with regard to acts of Congress.
• It established the right of all arrested persons to remain silent.
• It held that state-sponsored racial segregation was legal.

Why was Brown v. Board of Education a significant Supreme Court case?

• It established that state laws regarding education were more powerful than federal laws.
• It resulted in several states seceding from the union and the outbreak of the Civil War.
• It forced all public schools to provide a quality education to students.
• It led to the end of segregated public schooling in America.

How can a decision made by the Supreme Court affect ordinary Americans?

• It can immediately create a new amendment to the Constitution, which contains laws that all Americans must follow.
• It can nullify an unconstitutional law, which means that Americans will no longer have to follow it.
• It can disband Congress, which forces Americans to elect new congresspersons and senators.
• It can impeach the president, thereby changing the leadership of the nation.