writ of mandamus - correct answer ✔Court order directing an official to
perform an official duty.
Article 3 of the Constitution - correct answer ✔Section of the Constitution
laying out powers and responsibilities of the Judicial Branch
Article 4 of the Constitution - correct answer ✔Outlines the rights and
expectations for all states and citizens including the adding of new states
US v. Nixon - correct answer ✔The Supreme Court does have the final voice
in determining constitutional questions; no person, not even the President of
the United States, is completely above law; and the president cannot use
executive privilege as an excuse to withhold evidence that is 'demonstrably
relevant in a criminal trial
National Supremacy Clause - correct answer ✔Constitutional clause that
states that federal law takes precedence over all other laws.
Dred Scott v. Sanford - correct answer ✔Supreme Court case that decided
US Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in federal territories
and slaves, as private property, could not be taken away without due process
- basically slaves would remain slaves in non-slave states and slaves could
not sue because they were not citizens
FDR's Court Packing Plan - correct answer ✔Franklin Roosevelt asked
Congress to permit the President to increase the number of judges from 9-15
if the judges refused to retire after the age of 70, it never became a law
because it was a threat to the separation of powers
, Federal District Courts - correct answer ✔The lowest tier of the federal court
system and similar to the trial courts that exist in each state
Circuit Courts - correct answer ✔Intermediate federal appellate courts. Cover
13 "circuits" across America. Hear appeals from District Courts in their
jurisdiction.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court - correct answer ✔John Roberts
writ of certiorari - correct answer ✔A formal writ used to bring a case before
the Supreme Court.
Rule of Four - correct answer ✔At least four justices of the Supreme Court
must vote to consider a case before it can be heard
amicus curiae brief - correct answer ✔Literally, a "friend of the court" brief,
filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those
presented by the immediate parties to a case.
Doctrine of Stare Decisis - correct answer ✔a policy of courts to stand by a
precedent and apply it to all future cases where the facts are substantially the
same; to stand by things decided
judicial activism - correct answer ✔An interpretation of the U.S. constitution
holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately
influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court)
Suffrage - correct answer ✔the right to vote