All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Which body has the power to create lower federal courts?
Answer: Congress. Congress establishes the structure of federal court system.
Flashcard 2: What check involves the President's role in judicial policymaking?
Answer: Selection of judicial appointees. Presidents influence judiciary through nominee selection.
Flashcard 3: Which check involves the Senate's advice and consent role?
Answer: Judicial appointments. Senate confirms or rejects presidential judicial nominations.
Flashcard 4: Identify the process by which federal judges can be removed.
Answer: Impeachment and conviction. House impeaches, Senate tries and convicts judges.
Flashcard 5: What action can Congress take if it disagrees with a Supreme Court ruling?
Answer: Amend the Constitution. Constitutional amendments can overturn Court decisions.
Flashcard 6: What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
Answer: Established judicial review. This case established the Court's power of judicial review.
Flashcard 7: What is the primary check Congress has on the judicial branch?
Answer: Impeachment of judges. Congress can remove judges for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Flashcard 8: How can Congress influence the composition of the judiciary?
Answer: By setting the number of judges. Congress determines court size and judicial positions.
Flashcard 9: What check does Congress have on the enforcement of judicial decisions?
Answer: Control of funding. Congress controls budgets for court operations and enforcement.
Flashcard 10: Which body can impeach federal judges?
Answer: The House of Representatives. The House brings impeachment charges against judges.
Flashcard 11: What role does the Attorney General play in judicial checks?
Answer: Represents the U.S. in legal matters. The AG oversees federal law enforcement and litigation.
Flashcard 12: What is the term length for Supreme Court justices?
Answer: Lifetime tenure. Justices serve until death, retirement, or removal.
Flashcard 13: Which power allows the President to mitigate judicial decisions?
Answer: Pardon power. Presidents can grant clemency for federal crimes.
Flashcard 14: What is required for Congress to override a judicial decision?
Answer: Constitutional amendment. Only constitutional changes can overturn judicial rulings.
Flashcard 15: Identify the check the judicial branch has on the legislative branch.
Answer: Judicial review. Courts can strike down laws as unconstitutional.
Flashcard 16: Which check does the judicial branch have over the executive branch?
Answer: Judicial review. Courts can declare executive actions unconstitutional.
Flashcard 17: How can Congress alter the jurisdiction of federal courts?
Answer: By passing legislation. Congress controls court structure and case jurisdiction.
Flashcard 18: What is required for the Senate to confirm a judicial nominee?
Answer: A simple majority vote. Senate confirmation requires only a majority, not supermajority.
Flashcard 19: Which body confirms judicial appointments?
Answer: The Senate. The Senate provides advice and consent for judicial nominations.
Flashcard 20: Identify the power of the President to affect the judiciary.
Answer: Nominate federal judges. Presidents shape judicial philosophy through judicial appointments.
Flashcard 21: What is required for the Supreme Court to hear a case?
Answer: Writ of certiorari. The Court chooses which cases to review discretionarily.
Flashcard 22: What is the role of the judiciary in interpreting laws?
Answer: Judicial interpretation. Courts determine the meaning and application of laws.
Flashcard 23: Which body has the power to initiate constitutional amendments?
Answer: Congress. Congress proposes amendments to overturn judicial decisions.
Flashcard 24: Identify the judicial check on legislative overreach.
Answer: Declare laws unconstitutional. Courts can invalidate laws that violate the Constitution.
Flashcard 25: What is the primary method used by the judiciary to check other branches?
Answer: Judicial review. Courts use this power to check executive and legislative actions.
Flashcard 26: Who has the power to set the salaries of federal judges?
Answer: Congress. Congress controls judicial compensation through appropriations.
Flashcard 27: Which check involves Congress altering the structure of the judiciary?
Answer: Changing the number of courts. Congress can create or eliminate federal courts.
Flashcard 28: How can the legislative branch influence judicial interpretation?
Answer: By amending statutes. New laws can clarify legislative intent and limit interpretation.
Flashcard 29: How can Congress respond to a Supreme Court decision it opposes?
Answer: Pass new legislation. Congress can write new laws to address Court rulings.
Flashcard 30: Which principle ensures that no branch becomes too powerful?
Answer: Separation of powers. This prevents any single branch from dominating government.