AP Government and Politics Flashcards: The Judicial Branch

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on The Judicial Branch, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Government and Politics.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the primary purpose of the circuit courts?

Answer: To hear appeals from district courts. Intermediate appellate courts between district courts and Supreme Court.

Flashcard 2: What is appellate jurisdiction?

Answer: The authority to review a lower court's decision. Most Supreme Court cases come through appellate jurisdiction review.

Flashcard 3: Which case established the right to legal counsel in criminal cases?

Answer: Gideon v. Wainwright (1963). Extended Sixth Amendment right to counsel to state criminal proceedings.

Flashcard 4: Which case determined the outcome of the 2000 presidential election?

Answer: Bush v. Gore (2000). Halted Florida recount, effectively deciding the presidential election.

Flashcard 5: Identify the primary function of the judicial branch.

Answer: To interpret and apply the law. Ensures laws comply with the Constitution through judicial review.

Flashcard 6: What does the term 'in forma pauperis' signify?

Answer: Permission to proceed without court fees due to indigence. Latin term allowing poor defendants to proceed without paying fees.

Flashcard 7: What is the primary role of the U.S. District Courts?

Answer: To serve as trial courts for federal cases. Federal trial courts with original jurisdiction over federal matters.

Flashcard 8: Which body confirms Supreme Court nominations?

Answer: The U.S. Senate. Provides advice and consent as part of the appointment process.

Flashcard 9: Which case established the exclusionary rule?

Answer: Mapp v. Ohio (1961). Applied Fourth Amendment protections to state criminal proceedings.

Flashcard 10: Define the term 'stare decisis'.

Answer: The principle of adhering to precedent in judicial decisions. Latin for 'let the decision stand,' ensuring legal consistency and stability.

Flashcard 11: What is an 'en banc' session?

Answer: A session where a case is heard before all judges of a court. Used for important cases requiring full court consideration.

Flashcard 12: What is original jurisdiction?

Answer: The authority of a court to hear a case first. Courts with original jurisdiction include Supreme Court and district courts.

Flashcard 13: Identify the doctrine established in the case of Baker v. Carr.

Answer: The principle of 'one person, one vote'. Required equal population in legislative districts for fair representation.

Flashcard 14: What is the significance of Roe v. Wade?

Answer: It recognized a woman's right to choose abortion. Established constitutional right to abortion under privacy doctrine.

Flashcard 15: Which body confirms Supreme Court nominations?

Answer: The U.S. Senate. Provides advice and consent as part of the appointment process.

Flashcard 16: Which case involved the Pentagon Papers and press freedom?

Answer: New York Times Co. v. United States (1971). Upheld press freedom against prior restraint by government.

Flashcard 17: Which case legalized same-sex marriage nationwide?

Answer: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). Extended Fourteenth Amendment equal protection to marriage rights.

Flashcard 18: How many justices are on the U.S. Supreme Court?

Answer: Nine justices. Set by Congress in 1869, though the Constitution doesn't specify the number.

Flashcard 19: What is the 'rule of four' in the Supreme Court?

Answer: Four justices must agree to grant certiorari. Minimum votes needed to accept a case for Supreme Court review.

Flashcard 20: Identify the principle established in McCulloch v. Maryland.

Answer: Federal laws are supreme over state laws. Established federal supremacy and implied powers doctrine.

Flashcard 21: Which case addressed racial quotas in university admissions?

Answer: Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978). Allowed race as one factor but prohibited strict quotas.

Flashcard 22: Who nominates U.S. Supreme Court justices?

Answer: The President of the United States. Presidential nomination requires Senate confirmation for appointment.

Flashcard 23: What is judicial restraint?

Answer: Courts limiting their own power, deferring to other branches. Philosophy emphasizing strict interpretation and limited judicial intervention.

Flashcard 24: What is original jurisdiction?

Answer: The authority of a court to hear a case first. Courts with original jurisdiction include Supreme Court and district courts.

Flashcard 25: Who was the first Chief Justice of the United States?

Answer: John Jay. Appointed by George Washington, served from 1789 to 1795.

Flashcard 26: Which Article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch?

Answer: Article III. Creates the federal court system and outlines judicial powers.

Flashcard 27: What is the primary purpose of the circuit courts?

Answer: To hear appeals from district courts. Intermediate appellate courts between district courts and Supreme Court.

Flashcard 28: Identify the principle established in McCulloch v. Maryland.

Answer: Federal laws are supreme over state laws. Established federal supremacy and implied powers doctrine.

Flashcard 29: What is judicial activism?

Answer: Judicial rulings based on personal views rather than law. Critics argue this approach exceeds proper judicial authority.

Flashcard 30: What is the primary role of the U.S. District Courts?

Answer: To serve as trial courts for federal cases. Federal trial courts with original jurisdiction over federal matters.

Flashcard 31: Which case legalized same-sex marriage nationwide?

Answer: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). Extended Fourteenth Amendment equal protection to marriage rights.

Flashcard 32: What is judicial activism?

Answer: Judicial rulings based on personal views rather than law. Critics argue this approach exceeds proper judicial authority.

Flashcard 33: Which case established the principle of 'separate but equal'?

Answer: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). Upheld racial segregation in public facilities for nearly 60 years.

Flashcard 34: Which Supreme Court case upheld the internment of Japanese Americans?

Answer: Korematsu v. United States (1944). Upheld wartime executive power despite civil liberties violations.

Flashcard 35: Which case ruled that corporations have free speech rights?

Answer: Citizens United v. FEC (2010). Expanded First Amendment protections to corporate political spending.

Flashcard 36: Which case established the right to privacy in contraceptive use?

Answer: Griswold v. Connecticut (1965). Found privacy rights in penumbras of other constitutional amendments.

Flashcard 37: Identify the significance of Miranda v. Arizona.

Answer: It established Miranda rights for detained suspects. Required police to inform suspects of Fifth Amendment rights.

Flashcard 38: Define the term 'stare decisis'.

Answer: The principle of adhering to precedent in judicial decisions. Latin for 'let the decision stand,' ensuring legal consistency and stability.

Flashcard 39: Identify the doctrine established in the case of Baker v. Carr.

Answer: The principle of 'one person, one vote'. Required equal population in legislative districts for fair representation.

Flashcard 40: What is a dissenting opinion?

Answer: An opinion that disagrees with the majority decision. Often influences future legal development and constitutional interpretation.

Flashcard 41: Which case established the principle of 'separate but equal'?

Answer: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). Upheld racial segregation in public facilities for nearly 60 years.

Flashcard 42: What does the term 'amicus curiae' mean?

Answer: A 'friend of the court' brief offering information. Submitted by interested parties not directly involved in the case.

Flashcard 43: Which case ruled that corporations have free speech rights?

Answer: Citizens United v. FEC (2010). Expanded First Amendment protections to corporate political spending.

Flashcard 44: Which Article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch?

Answer: Article III. Creates the federal court system and outlines judicial powers.

Flashcard 45: What is a landmark decision?

Answer: A court decision that establishes significant new legal principles. Creates binding precedent and shapes constitutional interpretation.

Flashcard 46: What is a 'writ of certiorari'?

Answer: An order for a lower court to deliver its record for review. Allows Supreme Court discretionary review of lower court decisions.

Flashcard 47: What is a dissenting opinion?

Answer: An opinion that disagrees with the majority decision. Often influences future legal development and constitutional interpretation.

Flashcard 48: Which case established the exclusionary rule?

Answer: Mapp v. Ohio (1961). Applied Fourth Amendment protections to state criminal proceedings.

Flashcard 49: Identify the highest court in the United States.

Answer: The Supreme Court of the United States. Has final appellate jurisdiction over all federal and constitutional questions.

Flashcard 50: Which case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson?

Answer: Brown v. Board of Education (1954). Declared separate educational facilities inherently unequal and unconstitutional.

Flashcard 51: What is the term length for a Supreme Court Justice?

Answer: Lifetime tenure, pending good behavior. Ensures judicial independence from political pressure and electoral cycles.

Flashcard 52: What is the 'rule of four' in the Supreme Court?

Answer: Four justices must agree to grant certiorari. Minimum votes needed to accept a case for Supreme Court review.

Flashcard 53: What is judicial review?

Answer: The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional. Established in Marbury v. Madison, allowing courts to check legislative and executive power.

Flashcard 54: Which case addressed racial quotas in university admissions?

Answer: Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978). Allowed race as one factor but prohibited strict quotas.

Flashcard 55: What is a concurring opinion?

Answer: An opinion that agrees with the majority but for different reasons. Allows justices to explain their reasoning while supporting the outcome.

Flashcard 56: Which case involved the Pentagon Papers and press freedom?

Answer: New York Times Co. v. United States (1971). Upheld press freedom against prior restraint by government.