The Judicial Branch

Courts make up the judiciary, or the judicial branch of government, whose main jobs are to interpret the laws and ensure that the laws are fairly enforced.

Which of the following is NOT true about civil and criminal court cases?

• In a criminal case, people accused of crimes appear in court for a trial.

• In a criminal trial, witnesses give evidence and a jury or a judge decides on a verdict of guilty or innocent.

• Civil disputes occur between parties who feel that their rights have been harmed. Each side presents its position in court, then the court decides in favor of one side or the other.

• If found guilty, the defendant in a civil case usually faces jail time of no more than 5 years.

• There are three kinds of civil disputes.

Which of the following is NOT true about the origin of the Federal Court System?

• Under the Articles of Confederation. there was no national court system. Each state had its own laws and its own courts.

• Under the Articles of Confederation, the national court system was underfunded due to the inability of Congress to collect taxes.

• Article III of the Constitution established a national Supreme Court and gave Congress the power to make lower federal courts.

• The Judiciary Act of 1789 established two types of lower federal courts: district courts and circuit courts.

• The district courts served as trial courts for distinct geographic regions and handled minor civil and criminal cases. The circuit courts took more serious cases and heard appeals from the district courts.

Which of the following is NOT true about the court system in the United States?

• The United States has a dual court system.

• Federal courts exist alongside 50 separate state court systems. Each state has its own laws and courts.

• The state courts get their powers from the US Constitution.

• Federal courts get their powers from laws passed by Congress.

America's legal system is based on the principle that everyone is treated the same.

Which of the following is a right of the accused?

• Every person accused of breaking the law has the right to have a public trial and a lawyer.

• If an accused person cannot afford a lawyer, the court will name one and pay for his or her services.

• Each person is assumed to be innocent until proven guilty.

• Each person has the right to ask the courts to review his or her case if, in the person’s view, the law has not been applied correctly.

• All of the above

Examine the table then determine which of the following is incorrect.

• U.S. Supreme Court can hear appeals from state supreme courts.

• State courts hear cases involving state law

• Both state and federal courts have trial, appeals, and Supreme courts.

• Both federal and state (Florida) judges are appointed for life.

Which of the following statements is NOT true about the role of the judiciary in the United States?

• The judiciary resolves disputes between parties.

• The judiciary interprets the laws and ensures they are fairly enforced.

• The judiciary has the power to create new laws.

• The judiciary can declare laws unconstitutional.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the federal court system?

• Federal courts get some of their power from state constitutions.

• Federal courts can hear cases involving disputes between states.

• Federal courts can hear cases involving state laws if there is a federal question involved.

• Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases involving federal laws.

Which of the following is NOT a function of the Supreme Court of the United States?

• To enforce laws passed by Congress.

• To resolve disputes between states.

• To interpret the Constitution.

• To review decisions made by lower courts.

What is the primary function of the judicial branch of government?

• A. To enforce the laws of the United States
  

• B. To create and vote on new laws
  

• C. To interpret laws and settle legal disputes
  

• D. To supervise elections at the national level

What does the term “judicial review” mean?

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• A. The power of the president to veto judicial rulings
  

• B. The process of reviewing candidates for federal judgeships
  

• C. The power of courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional
  

• D. The review of laws by Congress before they are passed