Government Test

Definitions

Judicial- Of, by, or appropriate to a court or judge

Appeal- Heard for a second time to reverse the original judgment

Jurisdiction- The power to hear cases

Amend: changed

Ratify: Formally approve

Republican- A government elected by the people, not a monarchy

Treason- Carrying on war against the United States and giving help to the nation’s enemies.

Unconstitutional- goes against the Constitution of the United States

Questions

What is the job of the judicial branch? To interpret or explain the laws

Legislative branch? To make the laws

Executive Branch? To carry out and enforce the laws

What is the name of the highest, most important court in the United States? The Supreme Court

What are the titles of the people who serve on the highest court? The Justices, eight are associates, one chief

How many serve? 9

For how long? Life

Who appoints the justices, and who must approve of them? The president, Senate

-There are 94 District Courts and 13 Appeals Courts that report to the Supreme Court

Name two other courts that are part of the Federal Judicial System.

1. Court of Military Appeals

2. The United States Tax Court

List Nine types of cases the Supreme and Federal Courts have jurisdiction over

1. Constitution

2. Federal Laws

3. Treaties

4. Ambassadors or public ministries

5. The United States government itself

6. Two or more state governments

7. Citizens or different states

8. A state or its citizens vs. a foreign state or foreign citizens

9. Laws governing ships

What is original jurisdiction? Refers to the cases above; It is the first court to handle the case

What is appellate jurisdiction? The Supreme Court can only hear a case after it goes through the lower court system.

What is a writ of certiorari? A formal request to the Supreme Court to hear a case

The process of checking the laws of our land is called Judicial Review

What does it mean when the Supreme Court declares a law “unconstitutional”? The law is void since the Constitution is more powerful

An example of treason- giving enemy countries vital information

What must happen in court for a person to be convicted of treason?

1. Two witnesses must attest to the same story.

2. A confession in the courtroom by the accused

What issue does Article V address? The amendment of the constitution

What two ways can an amendment be proposed?

1. 2/3 of Congress agrees

2. a constitutional convention called by 2/3 state legislatures

What two ways can an amendment be ratified?

1. ¾ of state legislators must approve

2. ¾ of states must have individual constitutional conventions approving

What fraction must propose an amendment, and what fraction must ratify an amendment? 2/3; ¾

What issue does Article IV address? The states

Who is given the power to admit new states? Congress

Could Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Hampshire join together to form a new state? Yes, all state legislatures must agree, and Congress must approve.

What is a republican form of government? Elected by the people, not a monarchy.

Under the Articles of Confederation, how could the relationship between the states be described? 13 separate countries with a mediocre friendship.

Under the Constitution, how could the new relationship be described? A system of cooperative federalism.

Why did the framers include Article VI in the Constitution? So, no state, county, or city law is above the constitution

Is it possible for the city of Chicago to make a treaty with the country of Germany? Why or why not? No, only the federal government can make treaties with Congress's approval.

How many states must ratify the Constitution before it can go into effect? 9/13

On what day was the Constitution signed? 9/17/1787

What document was governing the United States before and during the writing of the Constitution? Articles of Confederation