Judicial Branch (Part III)

What happens once the Court comes to a majority opinion?

• The case is dismissed.

• One of the justices writes the Court’s opinion.

• The decision is kept confidential.

• The case is retried.

The majority opinion of the Court includes:

• Only procedural details.

• The detailed legal reasoning, legal basis, and conclusions of the decision.

• Only dissenting opinions.

• Only a brief summary of the case outcome.

Fill in the blank: Concur means to ______.

• agree

• disagree

• oppose

• refuse

Fill in the blank: A Concurring Opinion is a legal opinion that agrees with the majority, but disagrees on the ______.

• reasoning or rationale

• verdict

• precedent

• interpretation

What is a dissenting opinion?

• A legal ruling with force of law

• An opinion written by those who vote against the majority

• A unanimous decision by the court

• A speech given by a justice

The role of law clerks in assisting justices is to conduct legal research, draft opinions, and manage briefs.

• They conduct legal research, draft opinions, and manage briefs.

• They provide only administrative support.

• They act solely as personal aides.

• They are involved only in scheduling hearings.

What is judicial activism?

• When judges uphold laws without change.

• When judges strike down laws or reverse public policy.

• When judges create new laws.

• When judges ignore existing laws.

According to the cartoon, the Second Amendment protects the ______.

• right to bear arms

• freedom of speech

• right to privacy

• freedom of religion

The DC v. Heller decision (2008) resulted in the outcome where the handgun ban in Washington, DC was struck down.

• The handgun ban in Washington, DC was struck down.

• The handgun ban in Washington, DC was upheld.

• The handgun ban in Washington, DC was modified.

• There was no impact on the handgun ban in Washington, DC.

Who appoints all federal judges, including those from the Supreme Court, the Circuit Courts, and the District Courts?