Judicial Branch Quiz

In order to make fair decisions without undue influence by outside forces, judges must be elected.

• True

• False

Majority and concurrent opinions agree on the decision in an appellate case but disagree on the reason for the decision.

• True

• False

The main purpose of the judicial branch of government is to interpret the laws.

• True

• False

The legal principle of stare decisis means that courts often challenge precedent in their decisions.

• True

• False

The president nominates Supreme Court justices, but the Senate elects other federal judges.

• True

• False

An amicus curiae brief can be helpful to the justices because it

• encourages the justices to see the case from a states’ rights point of view.

• explains how the case reached the Supreme Court.

• presents the viewpoint of a special interest group.

• summarizes the various outside influences on the Court.

The U.S. Supreme Court has the power to

• advise Congress on laws.

• declare laws unconstitutional.

• revise and rewrite laws.

• veto laws.

Which court has the power to overrule the decision of a federal appeals court?

• district appeals court

• state appeals court

• trial court

• U.S. Supreme Court

A positive effect of justices’ lifetime appointments is

• being accountable to the people.

• eliminating the risk of impeachment.

• having a fair and impartial judiciary.

• stabilizing the interpretation of laws.

Once the Supreme Court reaches a decision in a case,

• each side can present its case to the justices.

• the decision becomes law.

• the decision can be appealed.

• the solicitor general can state an opinion.