Supreme Court Jive: American Government Review

The video tutorial provides an overview of the U.S. judicial process, focusing on the structure and function of federal courts, including district courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. It explains the nomination process for Supreme Court justices, the operations of the Supreme Court, and the procedures for hearing and deciding cases. The video also discusses the importance of majority and dissenting opinions and offers resources for further learning.

What is the primary function of the 91 district courts in the federal court system?

• To nominate Supreme Court justices

• To handle international disputes

• To conduct trials with original jurisdiction

• To review decisions made by the Supreme Court

What is a writ of certiorari?

• A legal term for a jury trial

• A document that appoints a new Supreme Court justice

• A type of appeal in the Court of Appeals

• A request for the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision

Which of the following is a key aspect of the Supreme Court nomination process?

• The President appoints justices without any external input

• Senatorial courtesy is considered before making a nomination

• The Supreme Court itself votes on new justices

• The public votes directly for Supreme Court justices

What is the 'rule of four' in the context of the Supreme Court?

• Four justices must be present for a quorum

• Four justices are required to form a majority decision

• Four justices must dissent for a case to be dismissed

• Four justices must agree to hear a case

What type of jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have in cases involving ambassadors?

• Original jurisdiction

• Appellate jurisdiction

• Concurrent jurisdiction

• Exclusive jurisdiction

What is the significance of a majority decision in the Supreme Court?

• It sets a legal precedent for future cases

• It is a temporary ruling until a full court review

• It is only applicable to the case at hand

• It requires unanimous agreement among justices

What is the role of amicus curiae briefs in Supreme Court cases?

• They are confidential documents only seen by the justices

• They are used to summarize the court's final ruling

• They are submitted by interested parties to provide additional perspectives

• They are written by the justices to explain their decisions