Intro to the Judicial Branch Review

What does the judicial branch do?

• Explains the meaning of laws and decides if laws violate the Constitution

• Writes and passes laws

• Enforces laws through federal agencies

• Conducts elections at the national level

Which courts comprise the judicial branch as described?

• The Supreme Court and other federal courts

• Only state courts

• Municipal councils

• International tribunals

According to Article III, Section 1, where is the judicial power of the United States vested?

• One supreme Court

• Congress

• The President

• State governors

Which level of the federal court system has 13 circuits (12 regional and 1 for the Federal Circuit)?

• U.S. Courts of Appeals

• U.S. Supreme Court

• U.S. District Courts

• State Supreme Courts

How many U.S. District Courts are indicated in the diagram?

• 94 districts

• 13 districts

• 1 district

• 50 districts

What is the Supreme Court?

• The highest court in the United States that makes final decisions on laws and the Constitution

• A lower trial court for federal cases

• A legislative committee that drafts bills

• An executive agency that enforces regulations

How do the justices decide which cases to hear?

• They vote on which petitions to hear

• The President assigns cases

• A random lottery selects cases

• Congress chooses the docket

Approximately how many cases does the Supreme Court hear each year?

• Less than 100

• Over 7,000

• About 500

• Around 1,000

State court jurisdiction mostly deal with what?

• State laws

• Federal laws

• International treaties

• Municipal ordinances

Which situations fall under state court jurisdiction? Select all that apply.

• Events that took place in the state where the court sits

• Defendants who reside in that state

• Defendants served with a summons and complaint in that state

• Cases arising only under international law