2. Indiana Court Systems

Which branch of government is responsible for writing the laws?

• Legislative branch

• Executive branch

• Judicial branch

• Military branch

What does the judicial branch do with laws?

• Enforces them

• Writes them

• Interprets them

• Ignores them

If someone disagrees with a court’s decision in Indiana, what is the first step they can take?

• Appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court directly

• File a new case with the trial court

• Ask the President to change the decision

• Go to the police

Why might a judge decide that a law is invalid?

• The law is too old

• The law violates constitutional or statutory rights

• The law is unpopular

• The law is expensive to enforce

Suppose a person is still unhappy after appealing to the Indiana Court of Appeals. What is the next possible step they can take?

• Appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court

• Ask the Governor to change the law

• File a complaint with the police

• Go back to the trial court

What is "case law"?

• Law made by the Indiana Court of Appeals or Supreme Court that is applied to other cases

• Law made by the President

• Law made by the police

• Law made by teachers

What is the name of the special court for youth in Indiana?

• Juvenile Court

• Family Court

• Youth Court

• Student Court

Who does the word "juvenile" refer to in Indiana courts?

• People age seventeen or younger

• People age twenty-one or younger

• People age thirteen or younger

• People age eighteen or older

Why is a written decision from the Indiana Supreme Court important?

• It becomes "case law" and can be used in other cases

• It is only for the judge to read

• It is thrown away after the case

• It is used only for teaching students

Imagine you are a judge in the Juvenile Court. A new case comes in about a 16-year-old. What kind of law might you look at to help make your decision?

• Case law from previous similar cases

• Only the laws made by the President

• Only the rules from other countries

• Only the laws for adults