GovEc The Judicial Branch

Which of the following best describes the primary function of the Judicial Branch?

•  To create new laws

•  To rule on matters related to the law and Constitution

• To elect Supreme Court justices

• To enforce existing laws

 How did the Supreme Court acquire the power of judicial review?

• Through the 1803 case Marbury v. Madison

• Through an expressed power in the Constitution

• through a presidential executive order

• through a Congressional law that granted this power

 What potential consequence does the lifetime appointment of Supreme Court justices have on the Judicial Branch?

• It makes the court more responsive to public opinion

• It allows for greater consistency in legal interpretations over time

• It ensures justices are always up-to-date with current laws

• It guarantees a regular turnover of justices

How might the Supreme Court's power of judicial review act as a check on the other branches of government?

•  By vetoing laws passed by Congress

•  By impeaching the President

• By declaring laws unconstitutional

• By overriding Presidential pardons

How does the appointment process for Supreme Court justices demonstrate the system of checks and balances?

• Justices are elected by popular vote

• The President nominates and the Senate confirms

• The House of Representatives selects justices

• State governors appoint justices

What can be inferred about the Founders' intentions based on the vague description of the Supreme Court's powers in the Constitution?

• They wanted to limit the court's power

• They considered the judicial branch less important

•  They intended for the court's role to evolve over time

• They planned to add more details in future amendments

How might the Supreme Court's ability to overturn its own past decisions impact society?

• It ensures laws never change

•  It allows for the correction of past mistakes and adaptation to changing times

• It makes the law unpredictable and inconsistent

• It reduces the court's authority

 How does the requirement for a "valid case" to be brought before the court potentially limit or shape the Supreme Court's influence?

• It means the court can only address issues that are actively disputed

•  It ensures the court only addresses theoretical issues

• It allows the court to proactively create new laws

•  It gives the court the power to investigate any issue it chooses

Which of the following best explains why the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution can change over time?

• The Constitution is regularly amended to reflect societal changes

•  Supreme Court justices are elected every few years

• The President has the power to override Supreme Court decisions

• Changing social norms and circumstances can influence how the Constitution is interpreted

 According to Alexander Hamilton, why was the judiciary considered the "least dangerous" branch?

•  It had the power to overturn laws

•  It had neither the power of the purse nor the sword

• Its members were elected by the people

• It had the most words in the Constitution