SDSU CJ 420 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2025/2026.
Criminal LAW - ANS defines factual elements of a crime
Criminal PROCEDURE - ANS Provides guidelines for investigating, detecting, and prosecuting
crimes. Regulates the authority of the police—balance between the need to keep society safe
and the interests of individuals.
U.S. District Courts - ANS Lowest level, trial court. First step in the litigation process. 94
district courts; every state/territory has at least one district court—Article III Judges. Decisions
are binding on future decisions from that court.
U.S. Courts of Appeals - ANS Intermediate level. 13 Circuits (1-11, DC, Federal). 3-judge
panels; en banc. Article III judges. Decisions are binding on future Circuit Court decisions, plus
district courts in that circuit.
U.S. Supreme Court - ANS The highest federal court, the court of "last" appeal. 9 justices (by
custom, not in the Constitution). Article III judges. Decisions are binding on every federal court
(and every state court interpreting federal law)
Article III Judges - ANS Article III of the Constitution invests the judicial power in the U.S.
Supreme Court, as well as any lower courts that Congress creates. They have lifetime
appointments, are nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate, and have
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, compensation that cannot be reduced. Not all federal judges are Article III (magistrates and
bankruptcy)
Jurisdiction - ANS The power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law, or to govern
or legislate within a territory.
Original Jurisdiction - ANS In limited circumstances, parties can file directly to the Supreme
Court (SC). Federal govt v State; State v State; cases involving foreign ministers or ambassadors
Writ of Certiorari + Rule of Four - ANS A party may file an appeal from a Circuit Court decision
by filing a request for certiorari. SC will also review state SC decisions based on the Constitution.
The court does not HAVE to hear the appeal. FOUR judges must vote to grant certiorari for a
lower court decision to be reviewed by the SC. (Factors: circuit splits, Solicitor General request)
Concurrent Jurisdiction - ANS Joint authority of federal and state courts over certain areas,
such as claims under federal civil rights laws that a law enforcement official has violated an
individual's rights. It may be filed in either a state or a federal court.
En Banc - ANS All or the majority of judges hear a case. French phrase meaning "on the
bench." A session where all judges of an appellate court hear a case together, rather than by a
small panel. A rare tool used by appellate courts to ensure legal uniformity and resolve issues of
exceptional importance for an entire circuit.
Discretion - ANS The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation. Police
decide when to arrest, prosecutors decide to file a charge, the judge may exclude evidence or
give a lighter sentence, and the jury may convict someone.
Common Law - ANS Laws are made from custom and judicial precedent (court decisions)
rather than statutes. Formed the primary basis of American law and justice in the 17th and 18th
centuries.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2025/2026.
Criminal LAW - ANS defines factual elements of a crime
Criminal PROCEDURE - ANS Provides guidelines for investigating, detecting, and prosecuting
crimes. Regulates the authority of the police—balance between the need to keep society safe
and the interests of individuals.
U.S. District Courts - ANS Lowest level, trial court. First step in the litigation process. 94
district courts; every state/territory has at least one district court—Article III Judges. Decisions
are binding on future decisions from that court.
U.S. Courts of Appeals - ANS Intermediate level. 13 Circuits (1-11, DC, Federal). 3-judge
panels; en banc. Article III judges. Decisions are binding on future Circuit Court decisions, plus
district courts in that circuit.
U.S. Supreme Court - ANS The highest federal court, the court of "last" appeal. 9 justices (by
custom, not in the Constitution). Article III judges. Decisions are binding on every federal court
(and every state court interpreting federal law)
Article III Judges - ANS Article III of the Constitution invests the judicial power in the U.S.
Supreme Court, as well as any lower courts that Congress creates. They have lifetime
appointments, are nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate, and have
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, compensation that cannot be reduced. Not all federal judges are Article III (magistrates and
bankruptcy)
Jurisdiction - ANS The power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law, or to govern
or legislate within a territory.
Original Jurisdiction - ANS In limited circumstances, parties can file directly to the Supreme
Court (SC). Federal govt v State; State v State; cases involving foreign ministers or ambassadors
Writ of Certiorari + Rule of Four - ANS A party may file an appeal from a Circuit Court decision
by filing a request for certiorari. SC will also review state SC decisions based on the Constitution.
The court does not HAVE to hear the appeal. FOUR judges must vote to grant certiorari for a
lower court decision to be reviewed by the SC. (Factors: circuit splits, Solicitor General request)
Concurrent Jurisdiction - ANS Joint authority of federal and state courts over certain areas,
such as claims under federal civil rights laws that a law enforcement official has violated an
individual's rights. It may be filed in either a state or a federal court.
En Banc - ANS All or the majority of judges hear a case. French phrase meaning "on the
bench." A session where all judges of an appellate court hear a case together, rather than by a
small panel. A rare tool used by appellate courts to ensure legal uniformity and resolve issues of
exceptional importance for an entire circuit.
Discretion - ANS The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation. Police
decide when to arrest, prosecutors decide to file a charge, the judge may exclude evidence or
give a lighter sentence, and the jury may convict someone.
Common Law - ANS Laws are made from custom and judicial precedent (court decisions)
rather than statutes. Formed the primary basis of American law and justice in the 17th and 18th
centuries.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
