DIA – A Level
Ms. Maclay
The Federal Court System
Chapter 14 (pgs. 421-426) in The Struggle for Democracy
Name:
Date:
The Structural Context of Court Behavior
1. Which article establishes the judicial branch of government?
2. What is judicial review?
3. What was Alexander Hamilton’s opinion of judicial review? Do you agree or disagree with his
opinion? Explain why and how it impacts our country.
4. Why was the case of Marbury v. Madison so important?
5. Why is the Court more likely to overturn laws of states and localities than those of Congress?
The U.S. Court System: Organization and Jurisdiction
6. The United States has a dual court system. One for the _____________________ government
and another one in each of the ___________________________. Why is this needed?
7. Where are most laws, legal disputes and court decisions located? (State or Federal Level)
8. Which court is the only one specifically mentioned in the U.S. Constitution?
9. Which part of government establishes lower federal courts?
10. How long do federal judges serve for? Why?
11. What is the only way for a federal judge to be removed from office?
12. Who determines the salary for federal judges?
13. What subject matters do federal courts deal with?
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14. Federal District Courts are courts of original jurisdiction. What does this mean?
15. What is the difference between a grand jury and a petit (trial jury)? Address both.
16. What is the difference between civil law and criminal law? Address both.
17. What are the main differences between courts of appeal and courts of original jurisdiction?
18. What are legal briefs?
19. What are precedents and why are they so important?
20. Diagram the basic structure of the U.S. Federal Court System.