HDMM JBQ

Sam Morgan is convicted of committing mail fraud by the U.S. District

Court for the Southern District of Florida. Sam believes the judge was

unfairly biased against him. To which court should he send his appeal?

• U.S. Supreme Court

• Florida Supreme Court

• U.S. Court of Appeals

• Florida Circuit Court

Article III of the Constitution established the U.S. Supreme Court. Why

does this article refer to this court as “supreme”?

• It hears more cases than any other court

• It has authority over all other courts in the United States

• Its officers are appointed by the President of the United States

• It has authority over both the executive and legislative branches

Why did the Constitution establish that federal judges be appointed for life?

• to ensure the system of checks and balances

• to strengthen their jurisdiction over state courts

• to limit the power of the legislative and executive branches

• 
  to maintain the independence of the judiciary and separation of powers

An oil barge belonging to the State of Alabama has a massive oil leak in the

Gulf of Mexico. The leaked oil damages the beautiful beaches of Destin,

Panama City, and Ft. Walton. The oil also endangers the shrimp and crab

industry of Florida. The State of Florida sues the State of Alabama. Which

court has jurisdiction over the case?

• U.S. Supreme Court

• Florida Supreme Court

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit

• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida

How does an appellate court differ from a trial court?

• An appellate court usually has a jury.

• An appellate court decides issues of fact

• An appellate court examines more witnesses

• An appellate court reviews another court’s decision.

The Rio Grande forms the international border between Texas and Mexico.

Over the years, the Rio Grande has changed its course several times. This

has led to a number of disputes between Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico.

The Country Club dispute between Texas and New Mexico was decided by

the U.S. Supreme Court in 1927. Why did the Supreme Court follow a trial process in this case?

• The case involved federal law

• The case was between several states as parties

• The case was between citizens of different states.

• The case involved foreign ambassadors and other diplomats.

Which are the only federal courts to have juries?

• U.S. District Courts

• U.S. Supreme Court

• U.S. Courts of Appeals

• U.S. District Courts of Appeals

What kind of court order does the U.S. Supreme Court issue to indicate that

it will review a case?

• writ of certiorari

• majority opinion

• summary judgment

• writ of habeas corpus

The headline on the left appeared in a newspaper.

Which statement would most likely follow this headline?

• “Justice discovered to be ruling on cases solely to win votes.”

• “Justice found to be opposing the President’s views on the case.”

• “Justice accused of accepting secret payments from a party in the case.”

• “Justice committed treason by ruling in favor of a foreign diplomat

  against the United States.”

The diagram provides details about the U.S. court system.

Which court completes the diagram?

• Circuit Court

• Supreme Court

• Municipal Court

• Court of Veterans Appeals