Judicial Branch Practice Test

How long does the Supreme Court meet each year?

• 12 months

• 6 months

• 3 months

• 9 months

How do the justices decide to accept a case?

• By unanimous decision

• By random selection

• By public opinion

• If at least 4 justices agree to hear it

What kind of cases do Supreme Court justices decide to hear? (CHOOSE 2)

• Cases involving individuals or groups

• Cases involving a significant Constitutional question

• Cases involving state laws

• Cases involving legal disputes that affect the entire nation

What is the purpose of a Writ of Certiorari?

• 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

What happens during oral arguments?

• Justices ask lawyers questions

• Justices summarize their case

• Justices review written arguments

• Justices make a final decision

How many votes are required to decide a case?

• 3

• 6

• 5

• 4

What is the purpose of a majority opinion?

• 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

What is the significance of written opinions?

• They establish new laws

• They set a precedent for lower courts to follow

• They influence public opinion

• They determine the punishment for the defendant

What is the guiding principle for judges in deciding cases?

• Judicial activism

• Public opinion

• Stare decisis

• Legal precedent

What are the two court systems in the United States?

• Federal court system and state court system

• Supreme Court and District Court

• State Supreme Court and Federal Supreme Court

• Appellate courts and trial courts