NEW
Font size
WorksheetsJudicial Branch
Total questions: 45
Worksheet time: 23mins
The diagram below shows the structure of the U.S. court system.
Which completes the diagram?
Circuit court
County court
Supreme court
Municipal court
What is a long term result of judicial review on U.S. government?
The courts are bound by legislative decisions.
The courts are able to overturn previous court decisions.
The courts are unable to overturn previous court decisions.
The courts can create new laws based upon their rulings.
Judicial Review
Power of the US Supreme Court to declare actions unconstitutional
Power of the President to say "no" to laws
Power of Congress to remove government officials from office for bad behavior
What was the significance of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford?
African Americans were unable to seek justice in the state courts and federal courts.
The Court had no jurisdiction because it was believed African Americans could not sue in
federal court.
African Americans had a right to file lawsuits in Northern states but not in Southern states.
Original Juridction
Power of courts to review decisions from lower courts
Power of courts to hear a case first
Which describes the role of a juror in a criminal case?
to listen to a case and come to a unanimous decision about the defendant’s guilt or
innocence
to listen to an appealed case and determine whether the lower court made an error
to decide if there are enough witnesses to bring a lawsuit against a person or company
Use the headline below to answer the following question.
"U.S. Supreme Court declares legislation unconstitutional"
Which landmark decision established the judicial powers referenced in the headline?
Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeier
Brown vs. Board of Ed
Marbury vs. Madison
Miranda vs. Arizona
Bert lives in Orlando, Florida. He is suing Ernie, who lives in California. Which court system would have jurisdiction (power over) this civil case?
State courts
Federal courts
Court system that has jurisdiction (power over) cases involving the US Government, the US Constitution/Federal Laws, and disputes betwee states.
Federal courts
State courts
S.C. case that established power of Judicial Review
Marbury vs. Madison (1803)
Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896)
US vs. Nixon (1974)
In re Gault (1967)
How does an appellate court differ from a trial court?
An appellate court always has a jury.
An appellate court examines more witnesses.
An appellate court reviews a lower court's decision.
Use the headline below to answer the following question.
"U.S. Supreme Court declares legislation unconstitutional"
Which landmark decision established the judicial powers referenced in the headline?
Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeier
Brown vs. Board of Ed
Marbury vs. Madison
Miranda vs. Arizona
What is a long term result of judicial review on U.S. government?
The courts are bound by legislative decisions.
The courts are able to overturn previous court decisions.
The courts are unable to overturn previous court decisions.
The courts can create new laws based upon their rulings.
What was the significance of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford?
African Americans were unable to seek justice in the state courts and federal courts.
African Americans had a right to file lawsuits in Northern states but not in Southern states.
The Court had no jurisdiction because it was believed African Americans could not sue in
federal court.
Interprets the US Constitution and national laws
Federal courts
State courts
According to the United States Constitution, which of the following cases would the federal court system
have original jurisdiction over?
violation of state laws
violation of local ordinances
disputes between states
disputes between citizens of the same state
Which describes the role of a juror in a criminal case?
to listen to a case and come to a unanimous decision about the defendant’s guilt or
innocence
to listen to an appealed case and determine whether the lower court made an error
to decide if there are enough witnesses to bring a lawsuit against a person or company
Below is a description of an outcome of a landmark Supreme Court case.
Following the 1966 Supreme Court decision in Miranda v. Arizona, police began informing people placed
under arrest that they "have the right to remain silent."
How does the outcome of this case impact individuals who have been arrested?
Prevents them from receiving cruel and unusual punishments.
Limits their ability to call witnesses in their favor and confront their accuser.
Informs them that they have the right not to answer questions.
Allows law enforcement to ask them questions without the presence of an attorney.
Miranda vs. Arizona
Guarantees juveniles same due process rights as adults
Right to a lawyer in a criminal trial
Right to remain silent - Do not have to answer police questions
Court system that has jurisdiction (power over) cases involving the US Government, the US Constitution/Federal Laws, and disputes betwee states.
Federal courts
State courts
In re Gault (1967)
Student speech in school can be limit if it is disruptive
Juveniles are not allowed to go to trial.
Juveniles are granted the same due process rights as adults.
Juveniles are granted the right to vote in elections.
Below is an excerpt from Article III of the U.S. Constitution.
"The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such
inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."
According to the excerpt, which part of the government has the power to make additional courts?
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
According to the United States Constitution, which of the following cases would the federal court system
have original jurisdiction over?
disputes between states
violation of local ordinances
violation of state laws
disputes between citizens of the same state
Which of the following best describes the structure of the judicial branch at the national level?
only includes the Supreme Court
consists of multiple state supreme courts
includes district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court
made up of state courts that handle federal cases
What is a long term result of judicial review on U.S. government?
The courts are bound by legislative decisions.
The courts are able to overturn previous court decisions.
The courts are unable to overturn previous court decisions.
The courts can create new laws based upon their rulings.
Power of the Judicial Branch?
The power to create and pass laws.
The power to enforce laws.
The power to interpret laws and the Constitution.
Interprets the US Constitution and national laws
Federal courts
State courts
Interprets state constitution and state laws
Federal courts
State courts
Which of the following best explains the importance of having juries in our judicial system?
Juries determine the proceedings during a trial.
Juries support the rights of citizens accused of crimes.
Juries decide which evidence should be allowed during a trial.
Juries choose which cases can be appealed to a higher court.
The list illustrates a selection process necessary to guarantee our constitutional rights.
1. Name added to master list
2. Random selection at state or federal level
3. Receive summons
4. Report for selection process
5. Lawyers choose or object (say no) to each individual
Which would be the best title for the steps above?
The Jury Selection Process
The Steps of a Criminal Trial
The Appeals Process
The Witness Request System
Has the power to establish lower courts
President (Executive)
US Supreme Court (Judicial)
Congress (Legislative)
City Councils
Significance of S.C. case Brown vs. Board of Education (1954)?
Legalized racial segregation in public spaces; Separate-but-equal
Overturned decision from Plessy vs. Ferguson; Separate is NOT equal!
Enforced Rule of Law; No one is above the law, not even the President
S.C. case that ensures right to a lawyer/legal counsel in a criminal trial ("Gid" me a lawyer!) (6th Amendment)
Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeier
Miranda vs. Arizona
Gideon vs. Wainwright
Marbury vs. Madison
Appeal
An admittance of guilty or innocence in a criminal case
Asking a higher court to review a lower court's decision for errors
The amount paid to a defendant in a civil case
Which of the following best describes the structure of the judicial branch at the national level?
only includes the Supreme Court
consists of multiple state supreme courts
includes district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court
made up of state courts that handle federal cases
Has the power to establish lower courts
President (Executive)
US Supreme Court (Judicial)
Congress (Legislative)
City Councils
Court with judges only, NO JURIES! Review decisions from lower courts.
Trial Court
Appellate Court
The list illustrates a selection process necessary to guarantee our constitutional rights.
1. Name added to master list
2. Random selection at state or federal level
3. Receive summons
4. Report for selection process
5. Lawyers choose or object (say no) to each individual
Which would be the best title for the steps above?
The Appeals Process
The Steps of a Criminal Trial
The Jury Selection Process
The Witness Request System
S.C. case: Student speech in school can be limited if it is disruptive
Plessy vs. Ferguson
US vs. Nixon
In re Gault
Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeier
Power of the Judicial Branch?
The power to create and pass laws.
The power to enforce laws.
The power to interpret laws and the Constitution.
Which statement distinguishes between the functions of state and federal courts?
State courts interpret federal laws, while federal courts handle state laws.
State courts only hear criminal cases, while federal courts hear civil and criminal cases.
State courts overturn federal decisions, while federal courts cannot review state decisions.
State courts interpret state constitutions, while federal courts interpret
the U.S. Constitution.
Appeal
An admittance of guilty or innocence in a criminal case
The amount paid to a defendant in a civil case
Asking a higher court to review a lower court's decision for errors
Interprets laws and the US Constitution
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
What is Judicial Review?
The ability of the courts to pass judgement.
The ability of someone to appeal a decision of a court.
The ability of the Supreme Court to declare something unconstitutional.
A step in the impeachment process.
Supports the rights of people accused of crimes
Impeachment
Veto
Trial by Jury
Appeal
