wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Judicial Branch

Total questions: 50

Worksheet time: 38mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Supreme Court justices are nominated by the _______.

a)

President

b)

Senate

c)

Vice President

d)

Congress

2.

How many justices make up the Supreme Court?

a)

8

b)

5

c)

9

d)

7

3.
True or False, in order to be a supreme court justice you are required to have been born in the U.S?
a)
True
b)
False
4.
What is the age requirement for the Supreme Court Justices?
a)
50
b)
45
c)
40
d)
No age requirement
5.

Which of the following would best describe a dissenting opinion?

a)

"Opinion of the Court"

b)

Agree with the majority but for different reasons

c)

Decided to sit out the case for personal reasons

d)

Disagrees with the majority outcome for different reasons.

6.

Which of the following courts were originally created with the Constitution?

a)

U.S. Federal Court of Appeals

b)

U.S. Supreme Court

c)

U.S. Federal District Court

d)

State Supreme Courts

7.

How long is a term for a Supreme Court Justice?

a)

10 years

b)

20 years

c)

35 years

d)

Lifetime

8.

True or False, Judicial review is an effective check and balance on the other two branches?

a)

True

b)

False

9.

Supreme Court nominees are confirmed by...

a)

Congress

b)

President

c)

Senate

d)

Chief Justice

10.

True or False, Judicial Activism is supported typically by individuals with liberal ideology.

a)

True

b)

False

11.

True or False, Judicial restraint is supported typically by

Democrats?

a)

True

b)

False

12.

Why did the Constitution provide for two separate court systems?

a)

to keep the federal court system from being overwhelmed

b)

to establish the federal court system as having more power than State courts

c)

to maintain a balance of power between the Federal Government and the States

d)

to strengthen the balance of power between the three branches of Federal Government

13.

What did Hamilton mean when he made the following statement?

“Laws are a dead letter without courts to expound and define their true meaning and operation.” —Alexander Hamilton

a)

For laws to be effective, there must be courts to make them known to citizens consistently.

b)

For laws to be effective, there must be courts to interpret them consistently.

c)

Laws that are not obeyed should be repealed by the courts.

d)

Laws that are not obeyed should be enforced by the courts.

14.
What is the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction?
a)
Original jurisdiction refers to a case being heard in a federal court; appellate jurisdiction refers to a case being heard in a State court.
b)
Original jurisdiction refers to criminal or civil cases; appellate jurisdiction refers to only to civil cases.
c)
Original jurisdiction refers to a case that could be heard in a federal or a State court; appellate jurisdiction refers to a case that must be heard in a federal court.
d)
Original jurisdiction refers to a court where a case is first heard; appellate jurisdiction refers to a case being heard after it was tried in a lower court.
15.
How are federal judges selected?
a)
The person is named to the bench by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
b)
The person is named to the bench by the President and does not need to be confirmed.
c)
The person is publicly elected to the bench and confirmed by the Senate.
d)
The person is nominated by the Senate and chosen by the President.
16.
When a case is appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, the court can do which of the following?
a)
Declares the law involved in the case to be unconstitutional.
b)
Sends the case to Congress to decide on the legality of the law involved.
c)
Sends the case back to the lower court for reconsideration.
d)
Passes the case on to a higher court.
17.
“The district courts try criminal cases ranging from bank robbery, kidnapping, and mail fraud to counterfeiting, terrorism, and tax evasion. They hear civil cases arising under bankruptcy, postal, tax, public lands, civil rights, and other laws of the United States.” 
Based on this excerpt from the text, which of the following would not be tried in a district court?
a)
a gang charged with robbing several stores at a shopping mall
b)
a company sending out deceptive information through the mail
c)
a corporation seeking financial protection because it has no money
d)
a political group charged with setting off an explosion at a national monument
18.
In the federal system, a district court has the power to
a)
retry a case that was first decided by a State court.
b)
exercise original jurisdiction over a federal case.
c)
apply appellate jurisdiction to a federal case.
d)
determine if a lower court made an unconstitutional ruling on a case.
19.
What conclusion could be drawn  considering only about 1% of the cases applied to the Supreme court are actually taken.
a)
The Supreme Court accepts almost all of the cases that are brought to it.
b)
The Supreme Court deals only with cases involving constitutionality.
c)
Many cases are appealed to the Supreme Court, but it could only deal with a few of them.
d)
The Supreme Court used three different methods with which to rule upon a case.
20.
When a Supreme Court justice agrees with the decision reached by the Court in a case, but not with the reasons why the Court made that decision, he or she may choose to write a
a)
concurring opinion.
b)
dissenting opinion.
c)
majority opinion.
d)
unanimous opinion.
21.
In the federal court system, the cases tried by the district courts
a)
are usually appealed to a higher court by the losing side.
b)
make up the majority of federal cases brought to trial.
c)
deal only with federal crimes as defined by Congress.
d)
always involve the United States as a plaintiff.
22.
What kind of federal courts were created as “gatekeepers” to relieve burden on the Supreme Court?
a)
courts-martial
b)
federal district courts
c)
federal courts of appeals
d)
special courts
23.

What is a legal way the government limits individual rights for the public good?

a)

To promote safety: Require all drivers to wear seat belts

b)

To promote morals: Fine citizens if they do not vote

c)

To promote safety: Require children to attend school

d)

To promote health: Limit the profits of public utilities

24.

Choose the answer(s) that are true of Judicial Review.

a)

Allows the US Supreme Court the authority to choose which cases they will hear.

b)

Is the result of Marbury v Madison

c)

The actions of the executive and legislative branches of government are subject to review.

d)

Gives the US Supreme Court authority to rule actions unconstitutional.

25.

The Supreme Court ruling a State law unconstitutional is an example of what?

a)

Judicial Review

b)

Judicial Restraint

c)

Judicial Activism

d)

Jurisdiction

26.

Appellate Jurisdiction is when:

a)

a court is the first to hear a case

b)

a court has the authority to hear a case

c)

a court reviews the decision of a lower court

d)

power is shared between the Federal and State courts to hear a certain case

27.

Original Jurisdiction is when:

a)

a court is the first to hear a case

b)

a court has the authority to hear a case

c)

a court reviews the decision of a lower court

d)

power is shared between the Federal and State courts to hear a certain case

28.

The Rule of 4 states that:

a)

Attorney's are only allotted 4 minutes per witness for questioning

b)

If there are ever less than 4 Supreme Court Justices, the role of the Judicial Branch is taken over by the President

c)

There must be at least 4 members of a jury in order to try a case

d)

4 or more Justices must agree to hear a case for it to go to the Supreme Court

29.

What is the opinion of the Supreme Court justices who make up the minority?

a)

Majority Opinion

b)

Concurring Opinion

c)

Unanimous Decision

d)

Dissenting Opinion

30.

This ruling explicitly outlawed racial segregation of public education facilities (legal establishment of separate government-run schools for blacks and whites), ruling so on the grounds that the doctrine of "separate but equal" public education could never truly provide black Americans with facilities of the same standards available to white Americans

a)

Brown vs Board of Ed

b)

Escobedo vs ILL

c)

Dred Scott vs Sanford

d)

Gregg vs Georgia

31.

This landmark ruling held that basis for the exercise of judicial review of Federal statutes by the United States Supreme Court under Article Three of the United States Constitution is legal.

a)

McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819

b)

Marbury v. Madison, 1803

c)

Miranda v. Arizona, 1966

d)

New Jersey v. TLO, 1985

32.

This ruling held held that criminal suspects must be informed of their right to consult with an attorney and of their right against self-incrimination prior to questioning by police.

a)

Regents of California v. Bakke, 1978

b)

Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896

c)

New Jersey v. TLO, 1985

d)

Miranda v. Arizona, 1966

33.

The Supreme Court ruled that the "separate but equal" provision of the Louisiana law was constitutional. The case established this principle of segregation until it was overturned in 1954.

a)

Regents of California v. Bakke, 1978

b)

Roe v. Wade, 1973

c)

Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896

d)

Tinker v. Des Moines School District, 1969

34.

The court declared that "student rights do not stop at the schoolhouse gates." The wearing of black armbands was protected by the Constitution. Students enjoy protection of the Bill of Rights unless their actions materially disrupt the educational environment.

a)

Regents of California v. Bakke,1978

b)

Roe v. Wade, 1973

c)

Tinker v. Des Moines School District, 1969

d)

Texas v. Johnson, 1991

35.

This ruling held that schools can search students with reasonable cause. This case lessens the Tinker doctrine and gives school officials greater latitude in disciplining students

a)

New Jersey v. TLO, 1985

b)

Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896

c)

Regents of California v. Bakke, 1978

d)

Roe v. Wade, 1973

36.

This fundamental case established the following two principles: that the Constitution grants to Congress implied powers for implementing the Constitution's express powers, in order to create a functional national government, and that state action may not impede valid constitutional exercises of power by the Federal government.

a)

Miranda v. Arizona, 1966

b)

New Jersey v. TLO, 1985

c)

McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819

d)

Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896

37.

This ruling held that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment protection against "unreasonable searches and seizures" must be excluded from criminal prosecutions in state courts, as well as federal courts.

a)

Mapp v. Ohio, 1961

b)

Miranda v. Arizona, 1966

c)

McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819

d)

Marbury v. Madison, 1803

38.

This ruling affirmed the government’s decision regarding the Japanese American Internment during World War II and found that it was not unconstitutional.

a)

McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819

b)

Mapp v. Ohio, 1961

c)

Marbury v. Madison, 1803

d)

Korematsu v. United States, 1944

39.

This ruling held that criminal suspects have a right to

counsel during police interrogations. indigent criminal defendants had a right to be provided counsel at trial.

a)

Furman v. Georgia, 1972

b)

Gregg v. Georgia

c)

Escobedo v. Illinois, 1964 or Gideon v. Wainwright, 1863

40.

This ruling determined that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and require its recitation in public schools, even when it is non-denominational and students may excuse themselves from participation.

a)

Engle v. Vitale

b)

Gibbons v. Ogden

c)

Furman v. Georgia

d)

Escobedo v. Illinois

41.

This ruling invalidated prohibitions on desecrating the American flag in force in 48 of the 50 states. Justice William

Brennan wrote for a five-justice majority in holding that the defendant's act of flag burning was protected speech under the first amendment.

a)

Regents of California v. Bakke,

b)

Roe v. Wade, 1973

c)

Tinker v. Des Moines School District, 1969

d)

Texas v. Johnson, 1991

42.

A constitutional right to an abortion is established, though the court laid down a trimester criteria in determining whether states can impose restrictions

a)

Regents of California v. Bakke,

b)

Roe v. Wade, 1973

c)

Tinker v. Des Moines School District, 1969

d)

Texas v. Johnson, 1991

43.
Which court case established Judicial Review?
a)
Plessy v Ferguson
b)
Texas v Johnson
c)
Marbury v Madison
d)
Miranda v. Arizona
44.
Which court case created the constitutionality of "Separate but Equal"?
a)
Plessy v Ferguson
b)
Texas v Johnson
c)
Marbury v Madison
d)
Miranda v. Arizona
45.
Which court case stated that students do not "shed their constitutional rights at the school house gates."?
a)
Plessy v Ferguson
b)
Texas v Johnson
c)
Tinker v Des Moines
d)
Miranda v. Arizona
46.
Which court case stated that suspects must be read their rights when arrested or anything said is inadmissible in court.
a)
Plessy v Ferguson
b)
Texas v Johnson
c)
Tinker v Des Moines
d)
Miranda v. Arizona
47.
Which court case expressed that all individuals have the right to an attorney for any criminal charge?
a)
Lemon v Kurtman
b)
Gideon v Wainwright
c)
US v Nixon
d)
Brown v Board of Ed
48.
Which court case expressed that all individuals have the right to an attorney for any criminal charge?
a)
Lemon v Kurtman
b)
Gideon v Wainwright
c)
US v Nixon
d)
Brown v Board of Ed
49.
Which court case overruled Plessy v Ferguson and declared that separate is not equal? 
a)
Mapp v Ohio
b)
Gideon v Wainwright
c)
US v Nixon
d)
Brown v Board of Ed
50.

Current composition of the Supreme Court is:

a)

5-4 Conservative majority

b)

5-4 Liberal majority

c)

6-3 Conservative majority

d)

6-3 Liberal majority