Question 1

The assignment of the opinion in a Supreme Court case is

Accepted Answer

A)   unimportant because the final vote of the justices is the only statement that carries any weight in future cases.
B)   important because differences in wording and emphasis can have important implications for how the decision is interpreted in future litigation.
C)   unimportant because all justices usually describe their decisions in exactly the same way.
D)   important because every word of a decision is legally binding.
E)   unimportant because they are rarely, if ever, read by anyone involved in the legal process.F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 2

There are ______ U.S. district courts.

Accepted Answer

A)   50
B)   94
C)   100
D)   200
E)   434F) A) and E)
G) A) and D)

Question 3

The jurisdiction of each federal court is derived from

Accepted Answer

A)   the Constitution and federal law.
B)   the Supreme Court.
C)   state laws.
D)   The federal courts decide their own jurisdictions.
E)   the president.F) A) and D)
G) All of the above

Question 4

Each of the following has been a method by which the federal courts have expanded their power except

Accepted Answer

A)   liberalizing the concept of standing.
B)   broadening the scope of relief from individuals to entire groups.
C)   narrowing the discretionary authority of the president over foreign affairs and diplomacy.
D)   holding onto jurisdiction over a case until the court's decision has been carried out.
E)   taking a more active role in hearing cases that would generally be considered legislative matters.F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 5

In what year was Marbury v. Madison decided?

Accepted Answer

A)   1789
B)   1803
C)   1861
D)   1929
E)   1967F) A) and D)
G) All of the above

Question 6

If a private individual brought a suit against a corporation for breaking a contract, what kind of law would this involve?

Accepted Answer

A)   criminal
B)   civil
C)   public
D)   plaintiff
E)   commonF) A) and E)
G) B) and E)

Question 7

What is the significance of dissenting opinions?

Accepted Answer

A)   They are made to appeal to a justice's constituency groups.
B)   They have as much weight of law as the majority's opinion does.
C)   Dissents are signs that the Court is in disagreement on an issue and could change its ruling.
D)   Dissents are meant to confuse lawyers and government officials as to the true meaning of a decided case.
E)   They are meant to appease the losing side in a case.F) C) and D)
G) A) and E)

Question 8

Trial courts in the federal judicial system are called

Accepted Answer

A)   grand juries.
B)   district courts.
C)   appellate courts.
D)   administrative courts.
E)   civil courts.F) B) and E)
G) A) and E)

Question 9

Why is the Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison important?

Accepted Answer

A)   In this case, the Court declared the authority of Congress to regulate the economy of the United States.
B)   In this case, the Court nationalized the Bill of Rights.
C)   In this case, the Court authorized itself to exercise judicial review over laws passed by Congress.
D)   In this case, the Court declared the secession of the Confederate states to be in violation of the Constitution.
E)   In this case, the Court declared the segregation of schools based on race illegal.F) None of the above
G) D) and E)

Question 10

The party that brings a complaint in court is called the ______, and the one against whom the complaint is brought is called the ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   defendant; plaintiff
B)   plaintiff; precedent
C)   plaintiff; defendant
D)   litigator; juror
E)   defendant; litigatorF) C) and D)
G) B) and D)

Question 11

The issue of employer liability for employee injuries sustained at work illustrates that

Accepted Answer

A)   there are certain areas of law that courts are not allowed to rule on.
B)   civil laws can only be passed through state legislatures and cannot be constructed through judicial decisions.
C)   many areas of civil law have been constructed by judicial messages to other judges rather than by laws passed by legislatures.
D)   individuals need not have standing to sue in federal court.
E)   mootness is not an important consideration in civil law cases.F) B) and E)
G) A) and E)

Question 12

When a case is resolved through a negotiated agreement before a full trial is completed, it is called

Accepted Answer

A)   a misdemeanor.
B)   a plea bargain.
C)   taking the Fifth.
D)   a writ of certiorari.
E)   mediation.F) A) and D)
G) All of the above

Question 13

All of the following are part of the official jurisdiction of the federal courts except

Accepted Answer

A)   treaties with other nations.
B)   federal statutes.
C)   cases involving the U.S. Constitution.
D)   cases involving citizens from the same state.
E)   any case in which the U.S. government is party.F) D) and E)
G) C) and E)

Question 14

Andrew Jackson reputedly said, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it." What did he mean by this statement?

Accepted Answer

A)   The federal courts depend on Congress to fund the judicial police force.
B)   The Supreme Court is unable to enforce its decisions without the aid of the executive branch.
C)   It was time for Marshall to become an attorney general.
D)   Jackson wasn't going to let Marshall serve him a subpoena.
E)   The federal courts depend on Congress to pass laws to enforce their decisions.F) A) and E)
G) C) and D)

Question 15

What is the main function of the chief justice of the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

A)   The chief justice decides what cases will be heard by the full Court each term.
B)   The chief justice always writes the Court's majority opinions.
C)   The chief justice presides over the Court's public sessions and private conferences.
D)   The chief justice is also the constitutional adviser to the president.
E)   The chief justice is the constitutional adviser to Congress.F) B) and D)
G) None of the above

Question 16

In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff?

Accepted Answer

A)   public law
B)   criminal law
C)   civil law
D)   common law
E)   tort lawF) B) and E)
G) None of the above

Question 17

The doctrine of stare decisis compels judges to use precedents to decide current cases.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Which of the following is part of the Miranda rule?

Accepted Answer

A)   Arrested people have the right to remain silent.
B)   Arrested people have the right to sue the police for police brutality.
C)   Arrested people have the right to a fair trial.
D)   Arrested people have the right to face their accuser.
E)   Arrested people have the right to a reasonable bail.F) A) and D)
G) A) and C)

Question 19

Since the New Deal, the majority of litigation in the United States has been found in federal courts.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Why has partisan conflict surrounded federal judicial appointments in recent years?

Accepted Answer

A)   Members of Congress do not want the president to have so much power that he can place anyone he wants on the federal bench.
B)   The people recent presidents have chosen to nominate are often unqualified to be federal judges.
C)   Public opinion has not been favorable to most of the people recent presidents have chosen to nominate.
D)   There have not been enough minority nominees, including women.
E)   The federal courts play an important role in shaping American law and politics.F) B) and C)
G) A) and B)

Exam 15: The Federal Courts

In what year was Marbury v. Madison decided?

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What is the significance of dissenting opinions?

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Andrew Jackson reputedly said, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it." What did he mean by this statement?

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Why has partisan conflict surrounded federal judicial appointments in recent years?

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Each of the following has been a method by which the federal courts have expanded their power except

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There are ______ U.S. district courts.

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The issue of employer liability for employee injuries sustained at work illustrates that

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The doctrine of stare decisis compels judges to use precedents to decide current cases.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When a case is resolved through a negotiated agreement before a full trial is completed, it is called

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The party that brings a complaint in court is called the ______, and the one against whom the complaint is brought is called the ______.

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All of the following are part of the official jurisdiction of the federal courts except

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Trial courts in the federal judicial system are called

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Which of the following is part of the Miranda rule?

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The assignment of the opinion in a Supreme Court case is

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In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff?

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Why is the Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison important?

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Since the New Deal, the majority of litigation in the United States has been found in federal courts.

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If a private individual brought a suit against a corporation for breaking a contract, what kind of law would this involve?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The jurisdiction of each federal court is derived from

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What is the main function of the chief justice of the Supreme Court?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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The party that brings a complaint in court is called the , and the one against whom the complaint is brought is called the .

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