The Judicial Process

The Supreme Court most typically functions as ________.

• an appeals court

• a district court

• a court of original jurisdiction

• a trial court

People and groups that are not party to the case but are interested in its outcome may file an _____________ (“friend of the court”) brief giving their opinion, analysis, and recommendations about how the Court should rule.

• amicus curiae

• addendum

• stare decisis

• docket

Which of the following courts does NOT have appellate jurisdiction?

• U.S. Courts of Appeals

• U.S. Supreme Court

• State Supreme Courts

• U.S. District Courts

A written legal argument presented to a court by one of the parties in a case is called

• an addendum

• a brief

• a conference

• a decision

This is an opinion written by a justice who agrees with the Court’s majority opinion but has different reasons for doing so that they want to make known.

• majority opinion

• per curiam opinion

• concurring opinion

• dissenting opinion

When oral arguments have been concluded, the justices have to decide the case, and they do so in ____________, which is held in private twice a week when the Court is in session and once a week when it is not. 

• an Appeal

• a Bench Trial

• Conference

• Dissent

An opinion written by a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion of the Court. It has no bearing on the outcome of the case, but is submitted with the court documents. 

• majority opinion

• per curiam opinion

• concurring opinion

• Dissenting opinion

The Supreme Court's formal written decision on a case is known as...

• an argument

• a brief

• a writ

• an opinion

The principles or guidelines established by courts in earlier cases that frame the ongoing operation of the courts, steering the direction of the entire system

• Precedent

• Amicus

• Jurisdiction

• Jury Duty

The U.S. court system operates on the principle of ___ which means that today's decisions are largely based on rulings from the past. This also means that future rulings will be based on what is decided today. 

• Voire Dire

• Amicus Curiae

• Per Curiam

• Stare Decisis