Exam Review Notes

Exam Format

• Review material through provided videos.
• Three must-watch videos related to finals content.

Important Agencies

• Focus on key government agencies and their roles.
• Department of Justice is responsible for arresting and prosecuting crimes.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are critical health-related agencies under Health and Human Services.
• Department of Defense oversees military operations, spending more than any other country globally.

Executive vs Independent Agencies

• Executive agencies operate under the president's authority (e.g., Department of Justice, Department of Defense).
• Independent agencies serve the public and require "cause" for the removal of heads (e.g., CIA).

Judicial System Overview

• Judicial Branch Constitution: Established in Article III of the U.S. Constitution.
• Original Jurisdiction: Refers to the authority of a court to hear a case first.
• Civil Service vs. Bureaucracy: Civil service refers to government jobs, while bureaucracy involves implementing government policy.

Privatization in Government

• Process where government functions are managed by private entities (e.g., private prisons).
• Questions about effectiveness and ethical considerations arise concerning privatization.

Court Structure

• Follow the hierarchy: District Courts → Circuit Courts → Supreme Court.
• The Supreme Court hears approximately 80-100 cases per year (1% of requests).

Legal Concepts

• Standing: Plaintiff must show personal injury or harm.
• Mootness: Case no longer relevant due to changes in circumstance.
• Judicial Review: Established in Marbury v. Madison, allows courts to invalidate laws contrary to the Constitution.
• Amicus Curiae: "Friend of the Court" briefs support or oppose legal arguments in cases they are not directly involved.

Judicial Precedent

• Stare Decisis: Legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

Video Review

• Watch the assigned videos, especially 60-minute segments discussing government agencies and the Supreme Court.
• Videos cover the complexities and functions of government systems.

Important Amendments

• 11th Amendment: Limits the ability to sue states in federal courts.
• 18th Amendment: Introduced prohibition (illegal transport/manufacture of alcohol).
• 21st Amendment: Repealed the 18th and allowed states to regulate alcohol laws.

Major Supreme Court Cases

• Know cases like Brown v. Mississippi for its role in establishing due process applicability to the states.
• Rule of Four: Four justices must agree to hear a case.
• The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction only in limited cases, primarily appellate jurisdiction.

Final Reminders

• Preparation requires understanding of both the content from videos and foundational knowledge of legal system components, functions, and key amendments.