Legal system

What is one of the basic functions of courts?

• Settle disputes

• Enforce curfews

• Issue driving licenses

• Regulate taxes

What is the primary focus of this Crash Course Civics episode?

• The law and its impact

• Laws of thermodynamics

• History of kings

• Criminal justice system

What do courts do besides settling disputes and interpreting laws?

• Create expectations for future actions

• Design new laws

• Elect government officials

• Manage state budgets

What is the role of the federal court system in the U.S.?

• It enforces state laws

• It directly manages state courts

• It is separate from other branches of government

• It is part of the executive branch

What is the highest court in the federal court system?

• The Court of Appeals

• The Circuit Court

• The Supreme Court

• The District Court

What is judicial review?

• A public opinion survey on judges

• A yearly performance review for judges

• The ability to review laws and executive actions

• A review of judicial careers

What is a key feature of common law?

• It consists of past court decisions

• It is written by the executive branch

• It is based on statutes

• It changes every year

What differentiates trial courts from appeals courts?

• Trial courts only handle criminal cases

• Appeals courts have juries

• Appeals courts issue new laws

• Trial courts decide the facts of a case

What must you show to bring a successful appeal?

• That the trial was too long

• That there was a procedural error in the trial

• That the judge was biased

• That the outcome was unfair

What are the two main types of law mentioned?

• Common law and constitutional law

• Criminal law and civil law

• Public law and private law

• Statutory law and regulatory law