Judicial Branch - Supreme Court

The Supreme Court case of Marbury v Madison established the principle of

• the federal court on interstate commerce

• supremacy of the national government

• checks and balances

• judicial review

The Supreme Court has limited original jurisdiction. This means

• they will rarely hear cases that have not been in lower courts.

• they will only hear cases involving state disputes or major civil suits.

• they will rarely hear cases that other courts have already made rulings on

• they will only hear cases involving foreign diplomats or major criminal suits.

United States Federal judges serve in their positions

• for a maximum of 10 years

• until they turn 65 years of age

• until a new President replaces them.

• for as long as they fulfill their responsibilities

When a person becomes a Supreme Court Justice, he or she holds that job

• for life

• until age 65

• for 4 years

• until a new President takes office

Which of these statements is a Constitutional requirement in order to become a judge at the Federal level?

• must have a law degree

• must be confirmed by the Senate

• must have had state judicial experience

• must be at least 25 years of age

The State Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction. What situation is an example of a case they might hear?

• A politician is accused of stealing funds from a department in the Executive branch.

• A person is believed to be put on trial for the crime.

• A law is going to be passed by the Legislative branch but it may violate the Constitution.

• A person was convicted of a crime, but believes the law that he violated is unconstitutional.

The principle of judicial review, in which the US Supreme Court became the final arbiter on the constitutionality of a law, was established by which of these cases?

• Plessy v Ferguson

• Marbury v Madison

• Dred Scott v Sanford

• Brown v Board of Education

What is meant by the term certiorari?

• a formal disposition made by experts

• a warrant required to stop an action

• a warrant required to begin an action

• a formal request to have a case heard in court

The Supreme Court of the United States is mainly an appellate court, meaning

• it cannot hear a case the first time

• it is the court used by the military services

• it is always allowed to rule on any case it sees fit.

• it hears a case after another court has ruled on that case

In legal proceedings, lower courts tend to have original jurisdiction, meaning

• they are only allowed to hear cases classified as felonies

• they are only allowed to hear cases classified as misdemeanors

• they have the right to hear a case for the first time it has been presented in the legal system

• they can only hear a case after it has already been argued in a different level of the legal system