Question 1

Of the thousands of cases submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court each year, why does the Court-aside from obvious workload considerations-hear only a small minority of them?

Accepted Answer

A)   Many of the submitted cases are frivolous.
B)   to show proper respect to the rulings made in the lower courts
C)   to show proper respect to the other branches of government, and to fend off charges that the Court takes an activist role in policy making
D)   Article III of the U.S. Constitution limits the number of cases that the Supreme Court can consider each year.
E)   The Court is too divided to agree on cases.F) C) and D)
G) B) and C)

Question 2

The federal government and most of the states operate under a system of "common law." Define this term as well as the notion of "precedent." What role does precedent play in judicial decision making? How does this type of system create opportunities for the judicial system to be a political institution?

Accepted Answer

Common law is a legal system in which th...

Question 3

What was the principal effect of Marbury v. Madison (1803)  on the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

A)   It gave the Court the ability to rule on whether laws violated the Constitution.
B)   It expanded the Court's appellate jurisdiction.
C)   It established the system of circuit courts to take some burden off of the Supreme Court.
D)   It changed the original jurisdiction of the Court to hear matters in which state law conflicted with federal law.
E)   It forced the creation of today's lower federal courts.F) A) and B)
G) C) and E)

Question 4

What does the strategic model of Supreme Court decision making emphasize?

Accepted Answer

A)   the political views of individual Supreme Court justices
B)   how the justices account for the views of other justices when deciding how to act
C)   the need for activist judges if the Court is to be an important political institution
D)   the role of the Constitution and how it is interpreted
E)   how the justices strategically interpret the Constitution to fit their political ideologiesF) A) and E)
G) D) and E)

Question 5

An opinion written by a Supreme Court justice who agrees with a case but does not agree with its legal logic is called a:

Accepted Answer

A)   concurring opinion.
B)   plurality opinion.
C)   dissenting opinion.
D)   per curiam opinion.
E)   writ of mandamus.F) D) and E)
G) A) and D)

Question 6

Which of the following was a part of the Judiciary Act of 1789?

Accepted Answer

A)   It established every court throughout the nation, including all trial courts, city courts, county courts, state courts, and federal courts.
B)   It specified the Supreme Court's power of judicial review.
C)   It set the number of Supreme Court justices at nine.
D)   It created both federal circuit and district courts.
E)   It gave the president the power to nominate a new Supreme Court justice in the event of a vacancy on the Court.F) None of the above
G) B) and D)

Question 7

Under what conditions is the chief justice more likely to set aside the chief justice's own policy views and assign an opinion to a justice with different ideological views?

Accepted Answer

A)   when there is very little interest in the case from outside groups
B)   when there is fragile support for a majority position favored by the chief justice
C)   when the federal government is a party to the case
D)   when Congress or the president is unlikely to enforce the Court's decision
E)   when public opinion seems to demand itF) None of the above
G) B) and C)

Question 8

The election of state judges can make courts more ________, but it potentially undercuts their role in ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   responsive to special interests; looking after the public
B)   responsive to public opinion; protecting minority rights
C)   representative of different constituencies; standing up for the majority
D)   political; being fair
E)   democratic; being nonpartisanF) A) and D)
G) A) and C)

Question 9

Which of the following factors influence which justice will be assigned the task of writing a majority opinion?

Accepted Answer

A)   the input of the solicitor general
B)   the input of the attorney general
C)   the input of both the solicitor general and the attorney general
D)   the seniority of each justice, with new justices getting more and important cases
E)   political factors, such as how others might respond to the opinionF) D) and E)
G) B) and E)

Question 10

If a neighbor accidentally backed his car into the fence that divides your property, destroying a large section of it, and you sued your neighbor in court for damages, your neighbor would be the:

Accepted Answer

A)   plaintiff.
B)   defendant.
C)   petitioner.
D)   respondent.
E)   dissenter.F) C) and E)
G) B) and E)

Question 11

How are judges selected under the Missouri Plan?

Accepted Answer

A)   They are nominated by the governor from a list approved by a nonpartisan committee.
B)   through direct, nonpartisan election by the population
C)   They are nominated by the governor and confirmed by the legislature.
D)   through direct partisan election by the population
E)   They are nominated by the legislature.F) A) and E)
G) A) and C)

Question 12

One of the surest signs that the Supreme Court is going to agree to hear a specific case is:

Accepted Answer

A)   if it involves an appeal from the Sixth District.
B)   if the chief justice has ruled on similar cases in the past.
C)   if the solicitor general is a party to the case.
D)   if a member of Congress is involved in the lawsuit.
E)   if the case has already been heard by a state supreme court.F) C) and D)
G) None of the above

Question 13

By embracing the concept of dual federalism throughout the nineteenth century, the Supreme Court:

Accepted Answer

A)   demonstrated its willingness to use its power of judicial review to rule on the constitutionality of state laws.
B)   showed that it was unwilling to use judicial review to overrule states.
C)   failed to fulfill a key component of the Judiciary Act of 1789.
D)   resisted demands from Congress and the president to interfere in state politicsMore frequently.
E)   extended the power of the federal government by embracing an activist roleFor the Court.F) B) and E)
G) None of the above

Question 14

When the Supreme Court refuses to take actions that are outside of the judicial domain and should be decided by elected officials, they are avoiding what are known as:

Accepted Answer

A)   political questions.
B)   moot questions.
C)   issues of collusion.
D)   nonjurisdictional questions.
E)   de novo issues.F) C) and D)
G) B) and D)

Question 15

Why is venue shopping important?

Accepted Answer

A)   It reduces the likelihood of jury nullification.
B)   It resolves jurisdictional battles between federal and state courts.
C)   It helps interest groups locate someone who has standing in a case to help them get a case to trial.
D)   It helps individuals and groups find the best attorneys to represent them at trial.
E)   It allows individuals and groups to seek a court where they might receive a more favorable ruling.F) C) and E)
G) All of the above

Question 16

Any unsigned opinion submitted by the entire Supreme Court is called a:

Accepted Answer

A)   concurring opinion.
B)   plurality opinion.
C)   majority opinion.
D)   per curiam opinion.
E)   writ of mandamus.F) A) and C)
G) All of the above

Question 17

The Supreme Court is a national policy-making institution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

The Senate's confirmation hearings for Judge Robert Bork's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court were notable because:

Accepted Answer

A)   it was the first time ever that the Senate rejected a president's Supreme Court nominee.
B)   it ushered in a new era of less contentious Supreme Court nominations.
C)   the Senate aggressively attacked Bork's character and record in a public way.
D)   Bork's hearing was the first one ever that was televised and open to the public.
E)   Bork's failed confirmation mobilized conservatives and ultimately moved the Court back from the "liberal excesses" of the Warren Court.F) All of the above
G) A) and D)

Question 19

Which of the following are constitutional criteria for determining when the Supreme Court will hear a case?

Accepted Answer

A)   Rule of Four
B)   collusion, mootness, and standing
C)   mandamus, certiorari, and stare decisis
D)   standing and origination
E)   jurisdiction and originationF) D) and E)
G) B) and C)

Question 20

Although judges are bound to follow previous legal interpretations, their political views still matter because:

Accepted Answer

A)   they often choose to ignore the decisions of other courts.
B)   they represent constituents just as a member of Congress does.
C)   there are often multiple legal justifications for any decision in a case.
D)   many judges later decide to run for political office.
E)   judges want to help their party.F) All of the above
G) A) and B)

Exam 14: The Courts

What does the strategic model of Supreme Court decision making emphasize?

Correct Answer
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What was the principal effect of Marbury v. Madison (1803) on the Supreme Court?

Correct Answer
verified

If a neighbor accidentally backed his car into the fence that divides your property, destroying a large section of it, and you sued your neighbor in court for damages, your neighbor would be the:

Correct Answer
verified

The Senate's confirmation hearings for Judge Robert Bork's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court were notable because:

Correct Answer
verified

The Supreme Court is a national policy-making institution.

Correct Answer
verified

Any unsigned opinion submitted by the entire Supreme Court is called a:

Correct Answer
verified

Under what conditions is the chief justice more likely to set aside the chief justice's own policy views and assign an opinion to a justice with different ideological views?

Correct Answer
verified

When the Supreme Court refuses to take actions that are outside of the judicial domain and should be decided by elected officials, they are avoiding what are known as:

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following are constitutional criteria for determining when the Supreme Court will hear a case?

Correct Answer
verified

How are judges selected under the Missouri Plan?

Correct Answer
verified

The election of state judges can make courts more , but it potentially undercuts their role in .

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Common law is a legal system in which th...
View Answer

Although judges are bound to follow previous legal interpretations, their political views still matter because:

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following was a part of the Judiciary Act of 1789?

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following factors influence which justice will be assigned the task of writing a majority opinion?

Correct Answer
verified

An opinion written by a Supreme Court justice who agrees with a case but does not agree with its legal logic is called a:

Correct Answer
verified

Why is venue shopping important?

Correct Answer
verified

One of the surest signs that the Supreme Court is going to agree to hear a specific case is:

Correct Answer
verified

Of the thousands of cases submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court each year, why does the Court-aside from obvious workload considerations-hear only a small minority of them?

Correct Answer
verified

By embracing the concept of dual federalism throughout the nineteenth century, the Supreme Court:

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 14: The Courts

What does the strategic model of Supreme Court decision making emphasize?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What was the principal effect of Marbury v. Madison (1803) on the Supreme Court?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

If a neighbor accidentally backed his car into the fence that divides your property, destroying a large section of it, and you sued your neighbor in court for damages, your neighbor would be the:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Senate's confirmation hearings for Judge Robert Bork's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court were notable because:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Supreme Court is a national policy-making institution.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Any unsigned opinion submitted by the entire Supreme Court is called a:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Under what conditions is the chief justice more likely to set aside the chief justice's own policy views and assign an opinion to a justice with different ideological views?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When the Supreme Court refuses to take actions that are outside of the judicial domain and should be decided by elected officials, they are avoiding what are known as:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following are constitutional criteria for determining when the Supreme Court will hear a case?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How are judges selected under the Missouri Plan?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The election of state judges can make courts more ________, but it potentially undercuts their role in ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AICommon law is a legal system in which th...View AnswerShow Answer

Although judges are bound to follow previous legal interpretations, their political views still matter because:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following was a part of the Judiciary Act of 1789?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following factors influence which justice will be assigned the task of writing a majority opinion?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

An opinion written by a Supreme Court justice who agrees with a case but does not agree with its legal logic is called a:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why is venue shopping important?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

One of the surest signs that the Supreme Court is going to agree to hear a specific case is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Of the thousands of cases submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court each year, why does the Court-aside from obvious workload considerations-hear only a small minority of them?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

By embracing the concept of dual federalism throughout the nineteenth century, the Supreme Court:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

The election of state judges can make courts more , but it potentially undercuts their role in .

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Common law is a legal system in which th...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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