Comparing Federal & State Courts Quiz

What does Article III, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution establish?

• The U.S. Supreme Court and the authority for Congress to create lower federal courts

• The President's powers

• The structure of the state courts

• The guidelines for federal elections

How are federal judges selected?

• Elected by the public

• Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate

• Selected by the U.S. Supreme Court

• Appointed by state governors

Which court is known as the court of last resort in most states?

• Supreme Court

• Court of Appeals

• District Court

• Circuit Court

What types of cases do state courts handle?

• Most criminal cases, family law cases, and probate

• Federal law disputes

• International trade disputes

• Disputes between states

Which court usually has the final say on federal constitutional questions?

• U.S. District Courts

• U.S. Court of Appeals

• State Supreme Courts

• The U.S. Supreme Court

What is the role of U.S. Bankruptcy Courts?

• Review state law

• Handle bankruptcy cases

• Handle criminal cases

• Resolve disputes between states

How can a decision from a U.S. District Court be challenged?

• Appeal to a U.S. Court of Appeals

• Direct appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court

• Re-trial in the same district court

• Appeal to the state Supreme Court

What types of cases does the federal court system handle?

• Most personal injury cases

• Most contract cases

• Family law cases

• Constitutionality of a law, disputes between states, admiralty law

What is the highest court in the federal system of the United States?

• The U.S. District Courts

• The State Supreme Courts

• The U.S. Court of Appeals

• The U.S. Supreme Court

In the federal court system, the cases tried by the district courts

• are usually appealed to a higher court by the losing side.
• make up the majority of federal cases brought to trial.
• deal only with federal crimes as defined by Congress.
• always involve the United States as a plaintiff.