Name: ____________________ Block: ________ Date: _________
Chapter 8 Homework Guide “The Federal Courts & the Judicial Branch”
Section 1: The Federal Court System
1.
Define the following key terms (make sure to get them all):

jurisdictions (exclusive, concurrent, original, appellate & regular) –

plaintiff & defendant –

judicial restraint v. judicial activism –

senatorial courtesy –
2.
How is the dual court system consistent with the principles of federalism?
3.
In your opinion, what is the most important quality in a judge? Explain your answer.
4.
How might the judiciary be different if judges served only limited terms?
Section 2: Lower Federal Courts
1.
Define the following key terms (make sure to get them all):

grand juries –

marshals –

bankruptcy –

appellant –

magistrate judges –

briefs –

misdemeanor –

sovereign immunity –

public defenders –

courts-martial –
2.
How does the placement of U. S. attorneys in the executive branch give voters a voice in the judicial process?
3.
Why do you think appellate courts usually only consider questions of law rather than those of facts?
4.
Compare & contrast federal district courts and courts of appeals (create a Venn diagram on the back to do this).
Section 3: The Supreme Court
1.
Define the following key terms (make sure to get them all):

opinions (majority, concurring & dissenting) –

docket –

writ of certiorari –
2.
Why is the Marshall court so important to our history? Has any other Chief Justice’s court been as important? Explain.
3.
Do you think Congress should establish formal qualifications for Supreme Court justices? Why or why not?
4.
Why do you think it is important for justices who disagree with a majority opinion to record their oppositions & present their
arguments?