Untitled Deck

Question 1

Judicial Branch ⚖️

Answer 1

Role of the Judicial Branch: Interprets laws. Ensures laws follow the U.S. Constitution. Resolves disputes about federal law.

Question 2

Structure of the Federal Court System

Answer 2

1. District Courts (Trial Courts): Lowest level of federal courts. Handle most federal cases. Trials occur here. Evidence and witnesses are presented. Juries are used. 2. U.S. Courts of Appeals (Circuit Courts): 13 circuits. Review decisions from district courts. No new evidence or juries. Decide if legal errors were made. 3. Supreme Court: Highest court in the United States. Final authority on constitutional interpretation.

Question 3

Jurisdiction

Answer 3

Original jurisdiction: Cases start here (rare). Example: cases involving foreign diplomats. Appellate jurisdiction: Reviews cases from lower courts.

Question 4

Federal Judges

Answer 4

There are no constitutional requirements for federal judges. Judges are: Nominated by the President. Confirmed by the Senate.

Question 5

Supreme Court Case Process

Answer 5

Certiorari: The Court chooses fewer than 100 cases per year. Writ of certiorari: Request to review a lower court case.

Question 6

Types of Supreme Court Opinions

Answer 6

Majority Opinion: Supported by at least 5 justices. Explains the Court’s decision. Concurring Opinion: Agrees with the outcome but for different reasons. Dissenting Opinion: Disagrees with the majority decision. Plurality Opinion: Most justices support the result, but no single explanation has a majority.

Question 7

Important Legal Principles

Answer 7

Judicial Review: Power to declare laws unconstitutional. Stare Decisis: Courts follow previous decisions. Precedent: Earlier court decision used to guide future cases. Amicus Curiae Briefs: “Friend of the court.” Written by outside groups offering information or arguments.

Question 8

Free Speech and Religion in Schools

Answer 8

Students do have constitutional rights in school, but they are limited. Protected: Student protests (ex: wearing armbands), Freedom of expression. Not allowed: Speech that causes substantial disruption. Religious rulings: Schools cannot require students to salute the flag. Schools cannot organize prayer. Government cannot promote religion.

Question 9

Judicial Philosophy

Answer 9

Judicial Activism: Courts take an active role in shaping policy. Judicial Restraint: Courts defer to elected branches and avoid policy decisions. Originalism: Interpreting the Constitution based on its original meaning.

Question 10

Executive Branch 🏛️

Answer 10

Role of the President: The president enforces laws and leads the country.

Question 11

Presidential Roles

Answer 11

Chief Executive: Enforces laws. Commander in Chief: Leader of the military. Chief Diplomat: Manages foreign policy. Legislative Leader: Influences lawmaking.

Question 12

Presidential Powers

Answer 12

Negotiate treaties (Senate must approve). Appoint judges and officials. Veto laws.

Question 13

Types of Veto

Answer 13

Regular Veto: President rejects a bill. Override: Congress can override with 2/3 vote in both chambers. Pocket Veto: President ignores bill when Congress adjourns.

Question 14

War Powers

Answer 14

Congress: Declares war. President: Responds quickly to threats. War Powers Act: Requires president to: Notify Congress. Withdraw troops after a certain time without approval.

Question 15

Administrative State

Answer 15

The president oversees: Federal agencies, Government departments, Policy implementation.

Question 16

Theories of Presidential Power

Answer 16

Whig Theory: President follows Congress’s lead. Stewardship Theory: President can do anything not forbidden by the Constitution to serve the public.

Question 17

Vice President

Answer 17

Chosen by the presidential candidate. Main roles: President of the Senate, First in line for presidency.

Question 18

Executive Office of the President

Answer 18

Includes: Office of Management and Budget, National Security Council, National Economic Council, Office of Legislative Affairs. These offices advise the president.

Question 19

Presidential Influence

Answer 19

Honeymoon Period: Early months when president has higher approval and easier legislative success. Media: Presidents use social media and news to influence public opinion.

Question 20

Impeachment

Answer 20

Step 1: House of Representatives impeaches (charges). Step 2: Senate holds trial. Result: President may be removed from office.

Question 21

Qualifications for President

Answer 21

Must: Be 35 years old, Be a natural-born citizen, Have lived in the U.S. for 14 years. Limit: Two terms.

Question 22

Legislative Branch 🏛️

Answer 22

Role of Congress: Makes laws. Controls government spending. Represents the people.

Question 23

Structure of Congress

Answer 23

House of Representatives: 435 members. Must be 25 years old. Senate: 100 members. Must be 30 years old.

Question 24

Redistricting

Answer 24

Occurs every 10 years after the census to adjust districts based on population.

Question 25

Why Incumbents Lose

Answer 25

Scandals, Public dissatisfaction, Midterm backlash against president, Strong challengers with funding.

Question 26

Legislative Process

Answer 26

Most work happens in committees.

Question 27

Types of Committees

Answer 27

Standing Committees: Permanent policy committees. Select Committees: Temporary committees for special issues. Joint Committees: Members from both chambers. Conference Committees: Resolve differences between House and Senate bills.

Question 28

Key Legislative Terms

Answer 28

Markup: Committees edit and revise bills. Pork Barrel Spending: Funding for local projects in a legislator's district.

Question 29

Senate Rules

Answer 29

Filibuster: Long debate used to delay a vote. Cloture: Ends a filibuster. Requires 60 votes.

Question 30

Congressional Leadership

Answer 30

Speaker of the House: Leader of the House. Second in line for presidency after the vice president. Political parties influence: Committee assignments, Legislative agenda, Voting behavior.

Question 31

Elections & Campaign Finance

Answer 31

Midterm elections: Often hurt the president’s party. Campaign finance rulings: Corporations and unions can spend money in elections because spending is considered free speech.