Chapter 13 Study Guide Civics

What is the primary purpose of the 'Rule of Law' concept in a democratic judicial system?

• To ensure only wealthy people have legal protection
• To guarantee that no individual, group, or government entity is above the law
• To create complex legal procedures
• To limit judicial branch power

Which ancient legal code was particularly significant in categorizing crimes and their punishments?

• The Ten Commandments
• Justinian Code
• Code of Hammurabi
• Roman Law

What is the key mechanism by which the judicial branch provides checks and balances in the US government?

• Electing new legislators
• Judicial Review
• Creating new laws
• Enforcing executive orders

Why are lifetime judicial appointments considered important for judicial independence?

• They prevent judges from being influenced by political pressures
• They guarantee higher salaries
• They eliminate the need for elections
• They reduce government spending

What was the primary contribution of the Ten Commandments to legal development?

• Creating criminal law
• Establishing laws emphasizing social justice and responsibility
• Defining property rights
• Establishing international legal standards

What distinguishes English Common Law from other legal systems?

• Created entirely by legislators
• Developed by judges resolving individual cases
• Exclusively written by monarchs
• Determined by popular vote

What is the fundamental reason societies establish legal guidelines?

• To restrict personal freedom
• To ensure one person's pursuit of happiness does not infringe on another's
• To create complex bureaucratic systems
• To generate government revenue

What role does the judicial branch play when legislative laws are unclear?

• They ignore the law
• They create new laws
• They provide an interpretation of the law
• They defer to executive decisions

What was significant about the Justinian Code in Roman legal history?

• It was the first written legal code
• It simplified Roman law
• It eliminated Family prosecution
• It created international legal standards

What makes the court system effective in a democracy?

• Complex legal procedures
• High conviction rates
• Public confidence in its fairness and impartiality
• Frequent changes in judicial personnel