Name ___________________________ Class _____________________ Date _______
CHAPTER
18
S
1
READING COMPREHENSION
The National Judiciary
3
ECTION
1. What problems under the Articles of Confederation led the Framers of the
Constitution to create a national judiciary?
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2. Describe the dual court system in the United States.
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3. In which of the two court systems are most c ases heard today?
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4. Complete the diagram below to describe the structure of the national judiciary.
The Federal Courts
Inferior Courts
Special Courts
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
94 District Courts
5. What are the purposes of the two types of inferior courts?
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6. Which type of inferior courts has jurisdiction over most federal cases?
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7. Over what subject matter do federal courts have jurisdiction?
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13
Name ___________________________ Class _____________________ Date _______
READING COMPREHENSION (continued)
3
The National Judiciary
8. Over what parties do federal courts have jurisdiction?
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9. Explain the difference between exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction.
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10. When may a federal district court hear a case of diverse citizenship?
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11. What is the term for the person who files a suit? For the person against whom
the complaint is made?
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12. In the federal judiciary, which courts have only original jurisdiction? Which
have only appellate jurisdiction?
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13. Who nominates federal judges? Who confirms the nominations?
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14. How does senatorial courtesy affect the appointment of federal judges?
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15. Why do Presidents tend to choose judges from their own political party?
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16. Explain the difference in philosophy between judicial restraint and judicial activism.
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17. What are the terms of office for the various types of federal judges?
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18. What is the role of magistrates in the federal court system?
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19. Who are the government’s prosecutors?
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20. How do U.S. marshals serve the district courts?
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