7.2 U.S. Government

How did the Supreme Court use its power of judicial review for the first time?

• It resolved a case that had been appealed from a lower court.

• It resolved a power struggle between two political parties.

• It resolved a case that involved more than one State.

• It resolved a power struggle between the two houses of Congress.

Why does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction over cases involving ambassadors and consuls?

• These cases involve the United States as a nation.

• Other nations have agreed to accept the Supreme Court's authority.

• These cases all occur in Washington, D.C., which is not in any State.

• There is no precedent for the Supreme Court to hear an ambassador's appeal.

If the U.S. Supreme Court chooses to deny a writ of certiorari in a case, it means that

• the decision of the lower court stands.

• the law involved in the case is unconstitutional.

• the law involved in the case is constitutional.

• the case did not fall within the jurisdiction of the Court.

Why does the Supreme Court hear oral arguments in addition to reading briefs?

• to ask questions

• to hear case citations

• to learn the central arguments

• to listen to a summary of the case

Why would the Supreme Court remand a case to a lower court?

• The Court did not have time on its schedule to address the case.

• The Court believes the case does not address a significant point of law.

• It wants the lower court to reconsider the ruling based on other court rulings.

• It feels that the lower court ruling should stand and requires no further action.

What is an example of the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction?

• an appeal from the Federal Court of Appeals

• a case between two different States

• a kidnapping case sent to the Court on appeal

• a case reaching the court through a writ of certiorari

How have the types of key issues addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court changed over time?

• They represent issues related to racial bias and segregation in a specific State.

• Court opinions reflected unease at making judicial decisions with wide-reaching impact.

• Opinions in later years shifted to a different point of view from the earlier cases.

• Decisions of the Court remained consistent and reflected a restrained judicial approach.

1. What do the Supreme Court opinions in Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education, as well as Lochner v. New York and United States v. Darby, have in common?

• They handle mostly issues related to industry and commerce.

• They deal with issues that have fewer ramifications for individual rights.

• They focus on large organizations rather than private citizens.

• They deal with strong opinions related to specific groups of people.

How might each Supreme Court judge’s view of the judiciary’s responsibilities affect the Court’s decisions?

• It can influence whether the Court is an activist court or one practicing judicial restraint.

• It has no effect since the judge’s perspectives do not affect final decisions.

• It forces dissenting judges to vote with the majority to reach unanimous decisions.

• It allows the opinion of the Chief Justice to outweigh the opinions of other justices.