American Government
STUDY GUIDE
CHAPTER SEVEN – THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM
Section One: The National Judiciary
Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no national __________. National laws were interpreted and
applied by each __________ or not at all.
Article __________ of the Constitution creates the federal judiciary.
There are __________ separate court systems in the United States: __________ & __________. Most cases are
heard by __________ courts.
The Supreme Court of the United States was created by the __________, while all lower (or inferior) courts
have been created by __________.
Please distinguish between the two types of courts listed below.
Inferior Courts
Definition
Examples
Constitutional
Courts
Special
Courts
Define the following terms.
Jurisdiction:_______________________________________________________________________________
Exclusive Jurisdiction:_______________________________________________________________________
Concurrent Jurisdiction:______________________________________________________________________
Original Jurisdiction:________________________________________________________________________
Appellate Jurisdiction:_______________________________________________________________________
The Constitution says that the __________ can name to the federal bench anyone that the __________ will
confirm. Most federal judges are drawn from the ranks of __________, __________, __________,
__________, or __________. Presidents regularly look for judges who tend to agree with their own
__________ views.
Please distinguish between the two basic jurisprudential approaches.
Judicial Restraint:_______________________________________________________________
Judicial Activism:_______________________________________________________________
Judges of the constitutional courts serve for __________, unless they resign, retire, or die in office. They may
only be removed from office by __________.
Please describe the various court positions listed below.
Other Court Officers
Office
Duties
Appointed by
Length of Term
US
Magistrate
Bankruptcy
Judge
US
Attorney
US
Marshal
Section Two: The Inferior Courts
Please describe the courts listed below.
Court
Inferior Constitutional Courts
Basic Duties
District
Courts*
How many district courts are there?
Courts of
Appeals*
How many circuit courts are there?
Court of
International
Trade
Court of
Appeals for
the Federal
Circuit
Type of Jurisdiction
American Government
STUDY GUIDE
CHAPTER 7.2 – THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM
Section One: What is Judicial Review?
Composition of the Court
The _____________________________ of the United States is the only court specifically created by the
Constitution, in Article III, Section 1. The Court is made up of the _________________________ of the United
States, whose office is also established by the Constitution
Why is the Supreme Court seen as the Third Branch of Government?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Provide a brief description of Marbury v Madison
What is a writ of mandamus?
How does the Marbury Decision Affect the Supreme Court Today?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Section Two: Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has both ________________________ and _________________________
Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution spells out two classes of cases that may be heard by the High Court in
its original jurisdiction:
(1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
(2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Please distinguish between the two types of Jurisdiction
Original Jurisdiction_______________________________________________________________________
Appellate Jurisdiction______________________________________________________________________
Section Three: Appealing to the Supreme Court
How many cases are now appealed to the Supreme Court each term? ________________________________
Define the following terms.
Writ of Certiorari __________________________________________________________________________
Certificate________________________________________________________________________________
Section Four: Hearing a Supreme Court Case
Provide a brief description of the Supreme Courts process of hearing a Court case
What are briefs?
What is the role of the Solicitor General?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The __________________________________ officially called “the Opinion of the Court,” sets
out the facts in a case, identifies the issues it presents, and details the reasons that underpin
the majority’s decision.
Describe the importance of The Power of Precedent?
Describe Concurring Opinion?
Describe Dissenting Opinion?
American Government
STUDY GUIDE
CHAPTER 7.3 – THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM
Section One: The Structure and the Role of the Federal District Courts
The 50 States are divided into ________ federal judicial districts. There are also federal district
courts for _____________________., _____________________, the ____________________,
___________________, and the ____________________________.
What two state contain the most federal districts? ______________________and ________________________
Give a brief description of District Court Jurisdiction?
Define the Following Terms
Criminal Case______________________________________________________________________________
Civil Case_________________________________________________________________________________
Section Two: The Structure and the Role of the Federal Court of Appeals
The courts of appeals were created by Congress in ______________. They were established as
“__________________________” to relieve the Supreme Court of much of the burden of
hearing appeals from the decisions of the district courts. Those appeals had become so
numerous that the High Court was more than three years behind on
its ____________________—its list of cases to be heard.
There are now __________ courts of appeals in the federal judiciary.
The country is divided into _____ judicial circuits, including the ________________________.
Appellate Court Judges Each of these courts is composed of from _____ to _______ judges
(179 in all). In addition, a ______________________________ is assigned to each.
What District Appeals Court is New Orleans located in. ___________________
Give a brief description of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________