Exam 13: The Courts

A case will be placed on the Court's docket when ________ justices agree to do so.

The Supreme Court most typically functions as ________.

What are the core factors that determine how judges decide in court cases?

What do the appointments of the Supreme Court's two newest justices, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, reveal about the changing court system?

Of all the court cases in the United States, the majority are handled ________.

Both state and federal courts hear matters that involve ________.

Critical Thinking Questions RATING Failing Below Average Competent Advanced/ Sophisticated Criteria Answer doesnot Answer fails to Answer provides Answer clearly for provide an provide examples an argument with provide an evaluation. argument for or to support an one or two argument with two against. Answer contains argument for or against. Writing examples that support it. Writing excellent examples that inaccuracies. is poor and is acceptable for support it; student Writing is poor grammatical the college level makes the argument and contains errors are but may contain clearly and numerous common. Answer one or two eloquently. Answer grammatical mistakes and is somewhat incoherent. grammatical mistakes and is well organized and free of misspellings. misspellings. grammatical errors and misspellings. POINT VALUE 0 1 2 3 -On what types of policy issues do you expect the judicial branch to be especially powerful, and on which do you expect it to exert less power?

When a Supreme Court ruling is made, justices may write a ________ to show they agree with the majority but for different reasons.

When it comes to filling judicial positions in the federal courts, do you believe race, gender, religion, and ethnicity should matter? Why or why not?

The Supreme Court consists of ________.

The justices of the Supreme Court are ________.

Which court would you consider to be closest to the people? Why?

Discuss some of the difficulties involved in the implementation and enforcement of judicial decisions.

Which of the following is a check that the legislative branch has over the courts?

Besides the Supreme Court, there are lower courts in the national system called ________.

Critical Thinking Questions RATING Failing Below Average Competent Advanced/ Sophisticated Criteria Answer doesnot Answer fails to Answer provides Answer clearly for provide an provide examples an argument with provide an evaluation. argument for or to support an one or two argument with two against. Answer contains argument for or against. Writing examples that support it. Writing excellent examples that inaccuracies. is poor and is acceptable for support it; student Writing is poor grammatical the college level makes the argument and contains errors are but may contain clearly and numerous common. Answer one or two eloquently. Answer grammatical mistakes and is somewhat incoherent. grammatical mistakes and is well organized and free of misspellings. misspellings. grammatical errors and misspellings. POINT VALUE 0 1 2 3 -What should be the most important considerations when filling judge and justice positions at the federal level? Why?

A state case is more likely to be heard by the federal courts when ________.

In standing by precedent, a judge relies on the principle of ________.

Critical Thinking Questions RATING Failing Below Average Competent Advanced/ Sophisticated Criteria Answer doesnot Answer fails to Answer provides Answer clearly for provide an provide examples an argument with provide an evaluation. argument for or to support an one or two argument with two against. Answer contains argument for or against. Writing examples that support it. Writing excellent examples that inaccuracies. is poor and is acceptable for support it; student Writing is poor grammatical the college level makes the argument and contains errors are but may contain clearly and numerous common. Answer one or two eloquently. Answer grammatical mistakes and is somewhat incoherent. grammatical mistakes and is well organized and free of misspellings. misspellings. grammatical errors and misspellings. POINT VALUE 0 1 2 3 -In what ways is the court system better suited to protect the individual than are the elected branches of the government?

Critical Thinking Questions RATING Failing Below Average Competent Advanced/ Sophisticated Criteria Answer doesnot Answer fails to Answer provides Answer clearly for provide an provide examples an argument with provide an evaluation. argument for or to support an one or two argument with two against. Answer contains argument for or against. Writing examples that support it. Writing excellent examples that inaccuracies. is poor and is acceptable for support it; student Writing is poor grammatical the college level makes the argument and contains errors are but may contain clearly and numerous common. Answer one or two eloquently. Answer grammatical mistakes and is somewhat incoherent. grammatical mistakes and is well organized and free of misspellings. misspellings. grammatical errors and misspellings. POINT VALUE 0 1 2 3 -Discuss the relationship of the judicial branch to the other branches of government. In what ways is the judicial more powerful than other branches? In what ways is SCOTUS less powerful than other branches? Explain.