13.1 - The Judicial System in Our Democracy

How do courts promote the rule of law?

• by making laws for all to follow

• by organizing the laws into a code

• by holding accountable those who violate the laws

• by rewriting the laws to make them clear and understandable

Judicial review is the power of courts to say that laws and government actions are invalid because

• they conflict with previous laws or government actions.

• they conflict with the Constitution.

• they are not written clearly enough to interpret consistently.

• they have not been applied equally and fairly.

An independent judiciary is essential to our democracy because

• judges must belong to a political party.

• judges must run for election.

• judges must act impartially.

• judges must reflect the views of their constituents.

In our system of checks and balances, judicial review is

• a check on the judicial branch by the legislative branch

• a check on the judicial branch by the executive branch

• a check on the executive branch by the judicial branch

• a check on the legislative and executive branches by the judicial branch

When a law passed by Congress is unclear, who interprets the law?

• the president and executive agencies

• the judicial branch and the courts

• the legislative branch and the appropriate committees

• the legislative and executive branches

According to the Constitution, courts can

• change laws to clarify their meanings.

• only decide issues brought to them as cases.

• give Congress advice about the constitutionality of a proposed bill.

• advise police about the legality of an act before the perpetrator is arrested.

Which of the following represents a check on the judicial branch by the executive branch?

• The president appoints federal judges.

• The Senate approves the appointments of federal judges.

• The courts can invalidate an executive order.

• Congress can override a court decision.

On which early system of law did American colonists most depend?

• the Justinian Code

• the Twelve Tables

• the Code of Hammurabi

• English common law

What early system of law emphasized social justice and responsibility, becoming a model for ethical laws in the United States and elsewhere?

• the Ten Commandments

• the Code of Hammurabi

• English common law

• the Justinian Code

In which early system of law did judges make laws as they resolved individual cases?

• English common law

• the Code of Hammurabi

• the Twelve Tables

• the Justinian Code