Name________________________

Worksheet on the Legal System

I. Fill in the terms defined below. All the terms come from your Study Guide.

1. A means by which interested groups or individuals, not directly involved in a suit, may file legal briefs or oral arguments in support of one side. Comes from the Latin term meaning “friend of the court.”

2. Rules defining relationships among private citizens.

3. A body of rules defining offenses that are considered to be offenses against society as a whole and for which conviction could result in a prison term.

4. The scope of authority by which a higher court reviews a case from a lower court.

5. The power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of legislative and executive acts.

6. A case brought into court by a person on behalf of not only himself or herself but all other persons in similar circumstances.

7. A legal concept that refers to who is entitled to bring a case. There are three basic rules: 1) there must be an actual controversy between real adversaries 2) the person must show that he/she has been harmed 3) it’s not enough merely to be a taxpayer

8. An informal rule of judicial decision making in which judges try to follow precedent in deciding cases. A court case today should be settled in accordance with prior decisions on similar cases.

9. A legal document prepared by an attorney representing a party before a court.

10. The tradition by which the Senate will not confirm a district court judge if the senator who is from that state and of the president’s party objects.

11. The third-ranking officer in the Justice Department, who decides what cases the federal government will appeal from lower courts and personally approves every case the government presents to the Supreme Court.

12. A way of finding out what person’s views are on a controversial question; has been used by recent presidents in selection and senators in confirming judges to nominate to federal courts.

13. The party that initiates a suit in civil law.

14. An approach to judicial review which holds that judges should confine themselves to applying those rules that are stated in or clearly implied by the language of the Constitution.

15. The unlawful taking of property

16. The deliberate destruction of property

17. Taking property by dishonest means or by misrepresentation

18. An early release from prison

19. A vote of not guilty

20. A serious crime such as robbery or murder

21. A relatively minor crime

22. The idea that judges should amplify the vague language of the Constitution on the basis of their moral or economic philosophy and apply it to the case before them

23. An agreement to plead guilty to a crime in exchange for a reduced sentence.

24. A trial before a panel of military officers

II. Indicate if the following statements are True or False.

1. A strict constructionist would apply a moral or economic philosophy to constitutional principles when deciding a case.

2. Marbury v. Madison helped establish the powers of the early Supreme Court.

3. Senators wield great influence over the appointment of lower federal judges.

4. Most cases heard by federal courts begin in appellate courts.

5. Approval of a petition for certiorari requires a majority of the justices.

6. Standing is a legal concept that determines who is entitled to bring a case.

III. Write five of your own True/False statements.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.