PLS 101 Exam 3 UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Judicial review - CORRECT ANSWER - Power of courts to review laws, executive
actions, and state actions; can declare them unconstitutional (Marbury v. Madison, 1803)
Original jurisdiction - CORRECT ANSWER - Authority of a court to hear a case first
Appellate jurisdiction - CORRECT ANSWER - Court's authority to review decisions
made by lower courts; must involve a federal question
Writ of certiorari - CORRECT ANSWER - Request for Supreme Court to review a lower
court's decision
Solicitor General - CORRECT ANSWER - Top government lawyer representing the U.S.
in Supreme Court cases
Rule of Four - CORRECT ANSWER - Four Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a
case
Docket - CORRECT ANSWER - The Supreme Court's schedule or list of cases to be
heard
Brief - CORRECT ANSWER - A written legal argument submitted to the court
Amicus Curiae brief - CORRECT ANSWER - "Friend of the court" brief filed by someone
not directly involved in a case but interested in its outcome
Judgment - CORRECT ANSWER - The court's final decision on who wins or loses a case
, Stare decisis - CORRECT ANSWER - Doctrine of precedent; "let the decision stand"
Precedent - CORRECT ANSWER - Past court decision used as a guide for future cases
Opinion - CORRECT ANSWER - The written explanation of a Supreme Court decision
Unanimous opinion - CORRECT ANSWER - All justices agree on the decision and
reasoning
Concurring opinion - CORRECT ANSWER - Justice agrees with the outcome but for
different legal reasons
Dissenting opinion - CORRECT ANSWER - Justice disagrees with the majority's decision
Senatorial courtesy - CORRECT ANSWER - Custom allowing senators to influence or
block judicial nominations from their state
Statutory construction - CORRECT ANSWER - Interpretation of a law by courts using
legislative history, context, and intent
Federal question - CORRECT ANSWER - A legal issue involving the U.S. Constitution,
federal laws, or treaties
Structure of federal courts - CORRECT ANSWER - 1 Supreme Court, 13 Courts of
Appeals, 94 District Courts
Who creates the Supreme Court - CORRECT ANSWER - Constitution (Article III)
Who creates lower courts - CORRECT ANSWER - Congress (by legislation)
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Judicial review - CORRECT ANSWER - Power of courts to review laws, executive
actions, and state actions; can declare them unconstitutional (Marbury v. Madison, 1803)
Original jurisdiction - CORRECT ANSWER - Authority of a court to hear a case first
Appellate jurisdiction - CORRECT ANSWER - Court's authority to review decisions
made by lower courts; must involve a federal question
Writ of certiorari - CORRECT ANSWER - Request for Supreme Court to review a lower
court's decision
Solicitor General - CORRECT ANSWER - Top government lawyer representing the U.S.
in Supreme Court cases
Rule of Four - CORRECT ANSWER - Four Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a
case
Docket - CORRECT ANSWER - The Supreme Court's schedule or list of cases to be
heard
Brief - CORRECT ANSWER - A written legal argument submitted to the court
Amicus Curiae brief - CORRECT ANSWER - "Friend of the court" brief filed by someone
not directly involved in a case but interested in its outcome
Judgment - CORRECT ANSWER - The court's final decision on who wins or loses a case
, Stare decisis - CORRECT ANSWER - Doctrine of precedent; "let the decision stand"
Precedent - CORRECT ANSWER - Past court decision used as a guide for future cases
Opinion - CORRECT ANSWER - The written explanation of a Supreme Court decision
Unanimous opinion - CORRECT ANSWER - All justices agree on the decision and
reasoning
Concurring opinion - CORRECT ANSWER - Justice agrees with the outcome but for
different legal reasons
Dissenting opinion - CORRECT ANSWER - Justice disagrees with the majority's decision
Senatorial courtesy - CORRECT ANSWER - Custom allowing senators to influence or
block judicial nominations from their state
Statutory construction - CORRECT ANSWER - Interpretation of a law by courts using
legislative history, context, and intent
Federal question - CORRECT ANSWER - A legal issue involving the U.S. Constitution,
federal laws, or treaties
Structure of federal courts - CORRECT ANSWER - 1 Supreme Court, 13 Courts of
Appeals, 94 District Courts
Who creates the Supreme Court - CORRECT ANSWER - Constitution (Article III)
Who creates lower courts - CORRECT ANSWER - Congress (by legislation)
