American Government Worksheet – Chapter 18
1.
2.
3.
4.
Which Article of the Constitution describes the judicial branch of government?
Name the two court systems in the U.S.
Name and describe the two distinct types of federal courts.
Define jurisdiction, exclusive jurisdiction, concurrent jurisdiction, original jurisdiction,
and appellate jurisdiction.
5. Describe the length of office for a constitutional judge and a legislative/special judge.
Who appoints all federal judges? Who must approve the appointments?
6. Explain the difference between judicial activism and judicial restraint.
7. Describe the role of a magistrate, a U.S. attorney, and a U.S. marshal at the federal
district court level.
8. What are inferior courts?
9. How many federal district courts currently exist? How many district judges sit it the
district courts? What percent of federal cases are heard in the district courts?
10. What is the difference between a criminal and civil offense?
11. What happens to most cases after they are heard at the district level?
12. How many federal Courts of Appeals currently exist? What is there other name?
How many judges sit on the Courts of Appeals? Why did Congress initiate this level
of court? How are cases heard?
13. Describe the Court of International Trade.
14. What types of cases are heard by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit?
15. What is judicial review? What Supreme Court case upheld this principle?
16. Approximately how many cases are appealed to the Supreme Court each year?
About how many are accepted?
17. Describe the two methods for a case to reach the Supreme Court, 1.) writ of
certiorari, and 2.) by certificate. What is the rule of four?
18. From where do most Supreme Court cases come? What happens if the Supreme
Court denies your appeal?
19. Describe a term for the Supreme Court. What is a two-week cycle?
20. What is an oral argument? What is a brief? What is an amicus curiae brief? Who is
the solicitor general?
21. What is a conference? What is an opinion? What is a precedent? Describe the
three types of opinions: majority, concurring, and dissenting.
22. Describe the purpose of the following courts: Court of Federal Claims, and Court of
Appeals for the Armed Forces.