The following quiz is presented for free use by students and teachers and was created by myself in my years teaching high school. The Supreme Court
The ______________ is at the top of the Judicial Branch of the national government. It is the only part of the Judicial Branch established by the __________________ (Article III).
The Supreme Court has the final say in federal law including the Constitution, acts of Congress, and _________________________________.
All cases are heard in the Supreme Court building in Washington DC.
The Supreme Court has both original and _____________ jurisdiction.
Its original (starting) jurisdiction covers cases involving representatives of __________________ and certain cases in which a state is a party.
Most cases fall under appellate jurisdiction, or cases that have been appealed from __________ courts.
If the highest court in a state has a case with claims involving federal or ________________ law, it can be appealed to the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Cont.
The Supreme Court has ___ associate justices and one chief justice.
The Chief Justice makes $202,900 per year and associate justices make $____________ a year.
Justices serve for life and are only removed through retirement, not being able to continue their duties, or _________________. No Justice has ever been removed due to impeachment though Justice ___________________ was impeached in 1804.
The Justices have 3 main duties:
Deciding what cases to hear
Deciding the case itself
Determining an ___________ for the decision, the opinion
The Chief Justice presides over sessions, leads the Court’s judicial work, and helps administer the _____________________________.
Supreme Court Cont.
Justices have limited duties in the ________________. One justice is assigned to each circuit and 3 of them have 2 a piece. They hear special requests from the circuit. Justices also sometimes take on additional duties such as presiding over special ______________ or trials.
__________________ assist the justices. They are picked by justices from the top law schools, serve for 1 or 2 years, and then go on to distinguished legal careers.
Justices are appointed by the ___________ and have to be approved by the _____________. They are usually approved, but some are not.
Usually the President will choose someone from their party with similar political or legal beliefs. Usually the ________________ consults with the legal____________ and presents a list to the President from which the candidate is picked.
Limits on the Supreme Court
Limits on issues: Most Supreme Court cases deal with _______________, economic issues, federal legislation and ________________, due process of law, and suits against government officials. The largest group of cases are those involving __________________ which usually involve Constitutional questions.
Limits on types of cases:
Will only hear cases where the decision will make a difference.
The party bringing the case must have suffered real harm such as denial of civil liberties or _______________.
Only hear cases that involve a substantial ____________ question.
Limited because it can only decide cases that come to it from elsewhere in the ______________.
Limited because it cannot enforce its ________________.
Limited because of _________________________ (part of the three branches)
Supreme Court Cont.
The ABA (_________________________________) professional association of lawyers rates qualifications of supreme court nominees.
Ways in which the Supreme Court shapes policy:
Judicial Review: The Supreme Court’s ability to declare laws Unconstitutional and therefore invalid. Established in _________________________ in 1803. Has caused many important rulings such as Dredd Scott, Brown v. Board of Ed, and _______________________.
Interpretation of Laws: The court can interpret laws (_____________________________) and they way they interpret them become the standard interpretation on all similar laws in the nation.
Overturning earlier decisions: Usually “stare decisis” is used which mean previous rulings are upheld. This leads to _______________ or models to base other cases on. However, the Supreme Court can overturn previous decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education overturning _____________________.
John Daniels is a former High School teacher turned computer technician. He has over 6 years of experience in the field and operates a site that gives daily tech tips at www.broketech.com It is part of the John W. Daniels network at www.johnwdaniels.com.
