Judicial Branch/State Government

What is the main responsibility of the judicial branch?

• To create new laws

• To make sure laws do not go against the Constitution

• To enforce laws

• To elect the president

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

• Nine (eight associate justices and one chief justice)

• Seven

• Thirteen

• Five

What is the highest court in the United States?

• Circuit Court

• District Court

• Supreme Court

• Federal Court

How does a case reach the Supreme Court?

• It must start at the top and be approved by the president

• It must be voted on by Congress

• It must work its way up through the lower courts

• The Supreme Court picks cases at random

Who appoints Supreme Court justices?

• The Senate

• The President

• The Vice President

• The Speaker of the House

What role does the Senate play in selecting Supreme Court justices?

• The Senate has no role

• The Senate must approve the president’s choice

• The Senate elects justices every four years

• The Senate can remove justices at any time

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

• 4 years

• 8 years

• 10 years

• Until they retire or die

What power does the Supreme Court have over laws?

• It can create new laws

• It can enforce laws directly

• It can strike down laws that go against the Constitution

• It can change laws without Congress

How can Congress respond if the Supreme Court strikes down a law?

• Congress can replace the law by changing the Constitution

• Congress can overrule the decision with a vote

• Congress can ignore the ruling

• Congress can remove Supreme Court justices

Why are Supreme Court justices appointed for life?

• So they can make decisions without worrying about losing their job

• Because they are elected officials

• To make sure new justices are not needed frequently

• So they can be replaced every 10 years