Chapter 7 Test review Understanding the Judicial System

The court that first hears a case is said to have

• appellate jurisdiction.

• exclusive jurisdiction.

• original jurisdiction.

• concurrent jurisdiction.

The list of cases to be heard by a court is called a

• civil case list.

• certificate.

• writ of certiorari.

• docket.

Which of the following could be the subject of a criminal case tried in federal court?

• bankruptcy

• civil rights

• counterfeiting

• labor relations

Which of the following is a TRUE statement about a writ of certiorari?

• Only a defendant can petition for it.

• Only a plaintiff can petition for it.

• The Supreme Court must grant cert for all requests.

• The Supreme Court grants cert in a limited numbers of instances.

One weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that

• it established a dual court system.

• it did not provide for a national judiciary.

• Congress could create only a few lower federal courts.

• the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court was not clearly defined.

Which of the following federal courts exercises both original and appellate jurisdiction?

• the Supreme Court

• court of appeals

• district court

• the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Which of the following statements about federal judges is TRUE?

• They must have had previous service as State court judges or attorneys.

• They serve a fixed term of office, set by Congress.

• They are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

• All of the above are true.

Which federal court has original jurisdiction over MOST cases heard in federal court?

• district court

• court of appeals

• the Supreme Court

• the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Most importantly, the Supreme Court is called the High Court because it is the

• best court in the country.

• only court established by the Constitution.

• first court in which most of the important federal cases are heard.

• last court in which federal questions can be decided.

The purposes of the 12 federal courts of appeals include all of the following EXCEPT:

• to relieve the work load of the Supreme Court.

• to hear appeals from the district courts.

• to consider cases from several regulatory agencies.

• to hear original cases that have bypassed lower courts.