Judicial Branch and Supreme Court Test Review

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts, cases, and amendments related to the Judicial Branch and Supreme Court.

What is the main role of the Judicial Branch?

To resolve society's conflicts and interpret laws (rule laws constitutional).

What are two types of legal conflicts the Judicial Branch resolves?

Criminal laws/cases and Civil laws/cases.

Provide a brief summary of Texas v. Johnson (1989).

Greg Johnson burned the American Flag at a Rally in Dallas, TX against the Presidential campaign of Ronald Reagan. Johnson claimed the Constitution protects his right to burn the American Flag as long as he could burn the American Flag without harming someone or property.

What amendment was in question in the Texas v. Johnson (1989) case?

1st Amendment - Freedom of Speech

Who did the Supreme Court rule in favor of in the case of Texas v. Johnson (1989)?

5-4 in Favor of Johnson

What precedent did Texas v. Johnson (1989) set for expressing 1st amendment rights?

Symbolic speech (e.g., burning the American flag) is protected as long as it doesn't incite violence or harm.

What amendment was in question in the case of Engel v. Vitale (1962)?

1st Amendment

Provide a brief summary of the Engel v. Vitale (1962) case.

New York schools recited a prayer at the start of each school day. Parents challenged this, saying it violated the Constitution.

What precedent did Engel v. Vitale (1962) set regarding the 1st amendment freedom of religion?

Schools can no longer hold prayers during the school day, even if voluntary and not tied to a specific religion.

Who did the Supreme Court rule in favor of in Engel v. Vitale (1962)?

6-1 in Favor of Engel

Provide a brief summary of the Schenck v. United States (1919) case.

During WW1, Charles Schenck handed out leaflets declaring the draft unconstitutional and urged people to disobey it peacefully.

What amendment was in question in the case of Schenck v. United States (1919)?

1st Amendment

Who did the Supreme Court rule in favor of in Schenck v. United States (1919)?

9-0 in Favor of United States

What precedent did Schenck v. United States (1919) set regarding restricting 1st amendment rights?

It limited freedom of speech when it presents a clear and present threat.

How many Supreme Court Justices serve on the Supreme Court?

9

Who is the current Supreme Court Chief Justice?

John G. Roberts Jr.

What amendment was in question in the case of Miranda v. Arizona (1966)?

5th Amendment

Provide a brief summary of the Miranda v. Arizona (1966) case.

Miranda was arrested and interrogated without being informed of his 5th amendment rights, leading to a confession.

What type of precedent did Miranda v. Arizona (1966) set regarding the rights of those under arrest?

Every citizen under arrest must be informed of their 5th amendment rights (right to remain silent and to an attorney).

What was the Supreme Court decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1966)?

5-4 in favor of Miranda

Provide a brief summary of the case of Gideon v. Wainwright (1963).

Gideon was arrested and not provided an attorney, even after requesting one, and was forced to represent himself.

What is the amendment in question in the case of Gideon v. Wainwright (1966)?

6th amendment

What did the Supreme Court rule in the case of Gideon v. Wainwright (1966)?

9-0 in favor of Gideon

What type of precedent did the case of Gideon v. Wainwright (1966) set in terms of defendants and their representation in court cases?

Defendants who cannot afford an attorney must be provided one by the court.

True or False: The establishment clause of the 1st amendment says that the government cannot create a state religion.

True

True or False: The free exercise clause in the 1st amendment says that the citizens of the United States DO NOT have the ability to practice their religion freely.

False

What is the amendment in question in the case of Mapp v. Ohio (1961)?

4th amendment

Provide a brief summary of the case of Mapp v. Ohio (1961).

Police searched Mapp's house without a warrant, found obscene material, and charged her. Mapp argued this violated her 4th amendment rights.

What precedent did Mapp v. Ohio (1961) set in terms of protecting the 4th amendment rights of citizens?

Evidence obtained without a search warrant is inadmissible in court.

What was the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Mapp v. Ohio (1961)?

6-3 in favor of Mapp

Please provide a brief summary of the case of the New York Times v. United States (1971).

The Nixon administration tried to cover up facts about the Vietnam War. The New York Times tried to release classified documents.

What is the constitutional amendment in question in the case of New York Times vs. United States (1971)?

1st amendment - Freedom of the Press

What was the court ruling in the case of the New York Times v. United States (1971)?

6-3 in favor of the New York Times

What precedent did the case of the New York Times v. United States (1971) set in terms of the 1st amendment freedom of the press?

The government cannot control what the press says or does not say, protecting freedom from censorship.

How are Supreme Court justices appointed to the Supreme Court?

Appointed by the President of the United States

What is the term limit for a Supreme Court justice?

No term limits

Please provide a brief summary of the Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).

Plessy, asked to ride an all-white train, refused to leave for the all-black train, and was arrested.

What is the amendment in question regarding the case of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?

14th amendment

What was the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?

7-1 in favor of Ferguson

What precedent did the decision in Plessy v. Ferguson set regarding the 14th amendment?

It furthered the institution of racism, establishing "separate but equal" doctrine.

What is the amendment in question in the case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

14th amendment

Please provide a brief summary of the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education (1954).

African Americans were denied access to certain public schools, arguing this violated their 14th amendment rights.

What was the precedent set in the case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

It overruled Plessy v. Ferguson and guaranteed equal protection for African Americans, ending "separate but equal."

What was the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

9-0 in favor of Brown

Please provide a brief summary of the case of Loving v. Virginia (1967).

An interracial couple married in DC, but interracial marriage was illegal in Virginia, leading to their arrest.

What is the amendment in question in the case of Loving v. Virginia (1967)?

14th amendment

What was the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Loving v. Virginia (1967)?

9-0 in favor of Loving

What was the precedent set in the Supreme Court ruling in favor of Loving in the case of Loving v. Virginia (1967)?

People in every state are legally allowed to marry someone of a different race.

How many Supreme Court justices need to agree to hear a case?

The rule of four

About how many cases per year does the Supreme Court rule on?

80-100 cases per year