Judicial Branch Practice Test

12 months

6 months

3 months

9 months

By unanimous decision

By random selection

By public opinion

If at least 4 justices agree to hear it

Cases involving individuals or groups

Cases involving a significant Constitutional question

Cases involving state laws

Cases involving legal disputes that affect the entire nation

To request a lower court to send its records for review

To request a pardon for a convicted person

To request a change in the law

To request a retrial of a case

Justices ask lawyers questions

Justices summarize their case

Justices review written arguments

Justices make a final decision

3

6

5

4

To present the views of the dissenting justices

To summarize the facts of the case

To announce the ruling

To present the views of the majority of justices

They establish new laws

They set a precedent for lower courts to follow

They influence public opinion

They determine the punishment for the defendant

Judicial activism

Public opinion

Stare decisis

Legal precedent

Federal court system and state court system

Supreme Court and District Court

State Supreme Court and Federal Supreme Court

Appellate courts and trial courts