Judicial Branch Study Guide                                    Name__________________________

 

  1. What was the decision of the court in Marbury v. Madison?

 

 

  1. How are the cases of Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education related?

 

 

 

  1. What is due process, and which two amendments provide the due process protections?

 

 

 

  1. Explain the court’s power of judicial review.

 

 

  1. What is the difference between a civil case and a criminal case?

 

 

 

  1. What is the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction?

 

 

 

  1. Which federal and state courts have original jurisdiction (where a trial might occur)?

 

 

  1. What types of cases does the Supreme Court hear?

 

 

 

  1. What is an “inferior court”?

 

 

  1. How many justices are there on the US Supreme Court?  Is there a jury?

 

 

  1. How many Supreme Court justices must agree to constitute a majority?

 

 

  1. What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?  Give an example of each.

 

 

 

  1. What is the job of a defense attorney?

 

 

  1. What did the US Supreme Court decide in Miranda v. Arizona (1966)?

 

  1. Name three things that the Supreme Court looks at when deciding cases. 

 

 

  1. Why would an accused criminal agree to a plea bargain?

 

 

  1. How is a juvenile case different from a case involving an adult?

 

 

  1. What is the purpose of bail?

 

 

  1. What happens at an arraignment?

 

 

 

  1. Which court handles misdemeanors?

 

 

  1. Which court handles felonies?

 

 

  1. What can a magistrate do?

 

 

  1. Name at least three checks and balances that involve the judicial branch.

 

 

 

  1. How does a federal judge get his/her job?