14.2 - Deciding Cases

What is the majority opinion in a ruling?

• A written statement from parties affected by the outcome of a case expressing how they want the justices to rule and why.

• A statement assigned by the most senior justice in the majority that explains the reason the decision was made.

• A statement written by a justice who agreed with the decision but includes a different justification for the decision

• A written statement from the solicitor general expressing the decision he or she believes will benefit the majority of people in the country.

Which best describes the role public opinion plays in Court decisions?

• Justices make decisions they believe are held by the majority of Americans.

• Public opinion has no effect on the decisions made by the Court.

• Justices try to announce and explain decisions in ways that will build support for the Court and the implementation of the decision.

• Justices rely on the opinions of the solicitor general to provide information on public opinion.

What is the structure of oral arguments?

• Both sides receive 30 minutes to present their arguments and answer questions from the justices.

• Both sides receive 30 minutes to present their arguments, after which is followed by 30 minutes of questions from the justices.

• Both sides each have 30 minutes to ask questions of the justices about the case.

• The justices each have 30 minutes to ask questions of both parties in the case.

Why is it important to consider precedent in making Court decisions?

• It helps promote consistency in how laws are interpreted and applied.

• It helps identify previous cases that need to be appealed.

• Understanding the intentions of the Founders is important to understand the Constitution.

• Petitions to hear cases should be rejected if the Court has already issued a ruling on the subject.

What are the correct steps and sequence for cases argued at the Supreme Court?

• briefs submitted, written records of case reviewed, oral arguments, decision reached, opinions written

• opinions written, written record of case reviewed, oral arguments, decision reached, brief submitted

• oral arguments, opinions written, briefs submitted, written records of case reviewed, decision reached

• oral arguments, briefs submitted, written records of case reviewed, decision reached, opinions written

When can a dissenting opinion be issued on a case?

• when a justice disagrees with the rejection of the petition for a case to be heard

• when the solicitor general disagrees with the Court decision on a case

• when a unanimous ruling is reached on a case

• when a justice disagrees with the ruling made on a case

Which best describes why the Court changed its ruling on segregation in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision?

• Segregation was no longer practiced in southern states in 1954.

• The U.S. Congress had recently passed the Civil Rights Act banning segregation.

• Amendments to the Constitution were added in the early 1950s banning segregation.

• The values in American society were changing and segregation was losing support.

What is a brief?

• The combined list of questions from justices given to each party to prepare for oral arguments.

• A written explanation of how a party wants the Court to decide the case with arguments to support that decision.

• The summary of case documents prepared by clerks for the justices to read.

• The summary statement read in court announcing the Court's decision and reasoning.

How does the Court enforce its decisions?

• The Court suspends funds to states through federal block grants until states show compliance with Court decisions.

• Court clerks have the power to monitor and enforce compliance with Court decisions.

• The Court relies on lower courts and other branches of government to comply with its decisions.

• The Court uses U.S. Marshalls to monitor and enforce its decisions.

An amicus curiae brief

• expresses why a justice disagrees with the ruling on a case.

• is a ruling on a law or action that has not yet been challenged in court.

• explains why the case is important to certain interest groups and how they want the case decided

• forces a lower court to send records on a case to the Supreme Court for review.