Blog 5

1. A Supreme Court that demonstrates a willingness to change public policy and alter judicial precedent is said to be engaging in

a) judicial activism- I chose this because the definition matches the question
b) due process
c) judicial restraint
d) ex post facto lawmaking
e) judicial review

2. A writ of certiorari from the Supreme Court indicates that the Court

a) Will review a lower decision- Process of elimination

b) Has rendered a decision on a case

c) Has decided not to hear an appeal

d) Will recess until the end of the calendar year

e) Plans to overturn one of its previous rulings

3. The Supreme Court holds original jurisdiction in all of the following types of cases EXCEPT

a) If the United States is a party in the case

b) In controversies in criminal law between a citizen and a state

c) In controversies under the Constitution, federal laws, or treaties

d) if a case is between citizens of different states- It must go through state court then federal court

e) If cases arise under admirality and maritime laws

4. All of the following are specifically mentioned in the Constitution EXCEPT

a) judicial review- Established in Malbury vs. Madision not Constitution

b) the national census

c) rules of impeachment

d) the State of the Union address

e) length of term if federal judgeships

5. Which of the following correctly states the relationship between the federal and state judiciaries?

a) Federal courts are higher courts than state courts and may overturn state decisions on any grounds.

b)The two are entirely autonomous, and neither ever hears cases that originate in the other.

c) The two are generally autonomous, although federal courts may rule on the constitutionality of state court decisions.

d) State courts are trial courts; federal courts are appeals courts.- All others are incorrect

e) State courts try all cases except those that involve conflicts between two states, which are tried in federal courts.

6. The Supreme Court’s decision in Miranda v. Arizona was based mainly on the

a) Constitutional prohibition of ex post facto laws

b) Incorporation of the Fifth Amendment through the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment- Matches description of Miranda v. Arizona

c) Eighth Amendment restriction against cruel and unusual punishment

d) Abolition of slavery by the Fourteenth Amendment

e) full faith and credit clause of the Constitution

7. The Supreme Court has used the practice of selective incorporation to

a) Limit the number of appeals filed by defendants in state courts

b) Extend voting rights to racial minorities and women- Each state had different laws- united them
c) apply most Bill of Rights protections to state law

d) Hasten the integration of public schools

e) Prevent the states from calling a constitutional convention

8. Which of the following cases extended the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches and seizures to the states?

a) Gideon v. Wainwright

b) Schneck v. United States
c) Miranda v. Arizona

d) Mapp v. Ohio- Others desrcribe other cases

e) Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States

9. Which of the following is true of court cases in which one private party is suing another?

A) They are tried in civil court- man vs man is civil court 

B) The federal court system has exclusive jurisdiction over them

C) They are tried in criminal court

D) The state court system has exclusive jurisdiction over them.

E) They are tried before a grand jury.

10. Which of the following is an accurate statement about the federal court system?

a) The creation of new federal courts requires a constitutional amendment

b) The creation of new federal courts requires the unanimous consent of all 50 states

c) The Supreme Court has the sole power to create new federal courts.

d) Congress had the power to create new federal courts- The other options are incorrect

e) The number of federal courts if fixed by the Constitution and cannot be changed.

BLOG 3

In this cartoon we see three supreme court justices looking rather confused. The caption under the cartoon states "do you ever have one of those days where everything seems unconstitutional?" I see two ways of interpreting this picture. One way could be that the supreme court have high hopes for America and seeing the way our country is currently run is disappointing to them. The supreme courts job is too find things in the country that are unconstitutional and make them just. If a supreme court is finding a lot of things unconstitutional it can either mean they are not effectively doing their job or that they cannot keep up with all the things wrong in our country. The other way to look at the cartoon is that the Supreme court is inadequate and that they are not understanding their jobs and how to do them effectively. I think that the supreme court is reality is a mixture of both interpretations of the cartoon. I think typically the Supreme Court makes decisions that are considered as an act of activism once they are brought to their court. However there are alot of issues in our country that I feel that the Supreme Court does not address.

Blog Entry 2

What are the judicial powers of the US Supreme Court and where does this power come from (specific documents)?

The Supreme Court power comes from a couple different places. The Supreme court originally gained their power from Article III of the constitution. Article III gave the Supreme court power to rule on all issues related to the U.S constitutions as well as issues regarding the U.S as a party controversies between states, state vs. citizen of another state, citizens in different states and more. This power came from the founding fathers and cannot be negotiated as it is a constitutional role they hold. The Supreme court was given more power from the Judiciary act of 1789. The Judiciary act created a three court system of the federal court system of federal district courts, three circuit court, and the last being the Supreme Court. This court system made it so many cases when through the lower courts before if ever getting to the Supreme Court. This has the effect that the Supreme Courts is the most powerful court and has the option of having the last say on a case which is called appellate jurisdiction. Appellate Jurisdiction gives the Supreme Court the power to review previous court cases ruled in lower courts. The Supreme Court also has the power to deem laws or actions of the government as unconstitutional and that is how they regulate the other branches. In the case of Gibbons V. Ogden the Supreme Court gave congress a the power of Commence through a constitutional right. 

INTRODUCTORY POST

Hi I am Lara. I am a high school student, this blog was made for the purpose of AP government. I enjoy reading fun facts in my spare time and long walks on the beach.  I wear size 8 shoes which is pretty large for a girl. I am also allergic to cats however I have one named snowball, snowball also enjoys long walks on the beach.