Deck 5: Choosing Judges

Question 1

Which of the following constitutes of myth in the choosing of judges?

A)federal judges time their departures with favorable political climates to maximize the appointment of like-minded successors
B)the judiciary is dominated by white males
C)because judging is an apolitical enterprise, judges are selected based on their professional qualifications
D)judicial campaigning in general, including position taking on issues and policy pronouncements, does not harm judicial legitimacy

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The notion that judges must take no part in the consideration of cases in which they have a demonstrated conflict of interest is known as:

A)roll-off
B)recusal
C)the Missouri Plan
D)a violation of free speech

Answer 2

B

Question 3

According to research, which of the following statements is true regarding personal experience and the perception of a courts legitimacy?

A)people who perceive that the procedures used by the judicial system are unfair have more confidence in the courts than those who perceive that procedures are fair
B)people who reside in partisan election states have more confidence in the courts than those who have no experience with partisan judicial elections
C)people who have previous experience as parties to litigation are less supportive of courts
D)people who have been criminal defendants in a case are more supportive of courts

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Progressive reformers sought to change judicial selection methods by establishing:

A)nonpartisan elections
B)partisan elections
C)legislative appointment
D)gubernatorial appointment

Question 5

Which of the following states utilizes gubernatorial appointment for at least some of its judges?

A)South Carolina
B)Arkansas
C)New York
D)New Jersey

Question 6

Women and racial minorities began to be represented on in the federal judiciary in the:

A)1820s
B)1950s
C)1930s
D)1980s

Question 7

Ideological distance between a senator and a Supreme Court nominee have mattered more since the nomination of ______________.

A)Harriet Miers
B)Robert Bork
C)Clarence Thomas
D)Thurgood Marshal

Question 8

A legislative maneuver that effectively continues the debate on a judicial nomination and delays - perhaps indefinitely - a confirmation vote is known as a:

A)filibuster
B)hold
C)cloture vote
D)committee hearing

Question 9

The president is more likely to utilize recess appointments under all of the following except:

A)when he lacks partisan support in the senate
B)when he has high public approval ratings
C)when he has support from a majority of the House of Representatives
D)when it is his last term in office

Question 10

Which of the following is not one of the three main agendas or goals of a president when selecting a judicial nominee?

A)personal
B)partisan
C)policy
D)procedure

Question 11

___________ is the formal process used by the Senate to approve or reject a president's selection of a judge to serve on the federal bench.

A)nomination
B)confirmation
C)advice and consent
D)senatorial courtesy

Question 12

When a president uses a nomination to further support for his party or for himself, the president is motivated by a _________________________.

A)policy agenda
B)partisan agenda
C)None of the above
D)personal agenda