AP Government and Politics Flashcards: The Role Of The Judicial Branch

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on The Role Of 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 appellate jurisdiction?

Answer: The power to review and revise lower court decisions. Most Supreme Court cases come through appellate review of lower courts.

Flashcard 2: Identify the highest court in the United States.

Answer: The Supreme Court. It has final appellate jurisdiction over all federal and state courts.

Flashcard 3: Identify the term for the judicial branch's ability to check other branches.

Answer: Judicial review. Primary mechanism for judicial oversight of legislative and executive actions.

Flashcard 4: What role does the Senate play in judicial appointments?

Answer: Confirms judicial nominees. Senate advice and consent is required for all federal judicial appointments.

Flashcard 5: Which case established the exclusionary rule?

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

Flashcard 6: Identify the court case that established 'one person, one vote'.

Answer: Reynolds v. Sims (1964). Required equal representation in legislative districts based on population.

Flashcard 7: How many justices are on the U.S. Supreme Court?

Answer: Nine justices. Set by Congress in 1869, this number has remained constant since then.

Flashcard 8: Which case established the right to an attorney?

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

Flashcard 9: Which amendment provides for equal protection under the law?

Answer: The Fourteenth Amendment. Requires states to treat all citizens equally under the law.

Flashcard 10: What is a concurring opinion?

Answer: Agrees with the majority but for different reasons. Supports the outcome but offers different legal reasoning or emphasis.

Flashcard 11: What is the significance of Roe v. Wade?

Answer: Legalized abortion nationwide. Established constitutional right to abortion based on privacy rights.

Flashcard 12: What is original jurisdiction?

Answer: The court's power to hear a case first. Limited to specific cases like disputes between states.

Flashcard 13: What is a dissenting opinion?

Answer: An opinion disagreeing with the majority. Provides alternative legal reasoning and may influence future decisions.

Flashcard 14: How can a Supreme Court decision be overturned?

Answer: By constitutional amendment or later Court decision. Constitutional amendment requires supermajorities; Court reversal needs new case.

Flashcard 15: Which principle requires courts to follow precedents?

Answer: Stare decisis. Latin for 'let the decision stand' - promotes legal stability.

Flashcard 16: Who has the power to impeach a federal judge?

Answer: The House of Representatives. Constitutional power to remove federal judges for misconduct.

Flashcard 17: Which amendment guarantees due process?

Answer: The Fourteenth Amendment. Protects against arbitrary government action in legal proceedings.

Flashcard 18: Which document establishes the judicial branch?

Answer: The U.S. Constitution. Article III specifically creates the federal court system.

Flashcard 19: What is the exclusionary rule?

Answer: Prohibits illegally obtained evidence in court. Protects Fourth Amendment by preventing use of illegally seized evidence.

Flashcard 20: What is a concurring opinion?

Answer: Agrees with the majority but for different reasons. Supports the outcome but offers different legal reasoning or emphasis.

Flashcard 21: What is judicial review?

Answer: The power to declare laws unconstitutional. This power checks legislative and executive branches through constitutional interpretation.

Flashcard 22: What is the purpose of life tenure for federal judges?

Answer: To ensure independence from political pressures. Protects judicial decision-making from political influence and electoral pressure.

Flashcard 23: How can Congress influence the judiciary?

Answer: Through confirmation and impeachment powers. Senate confirms appointments and can impeach federal judges.

Flashcard 24: How can Congress influence the judiciary?

Answer: Through confirmation and impeachment powers. Senate confirms appointments and can impeach federal judges.

Flashcard 25: What role does the Chief Justice play in impeachment trials?

Answer: Presides over Senate impeachment trials. Ensures impartial leadership during presidential impeachment proceedings.

Flashcard 26: Which case established the right to an attorney?

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

Flashcard 27: How can a Supreme Court decision be overturned?

Answer: By constitutional amendment or later Court decision. Constitutional amendment requires supermajorities; Court reversal needs new case.

Flashcard 28: What is the purpose of life tenure for federal judges?

Answer: To ensure independence from political pressures. Protects judicial decision-making from political influence and electoral pressure.

Flashcard 29: What is the purpose of a writ of certiorari?

Answer: To review a lower court's decision. The Court uses discretionary jurisdiction to choose which cases to hear.

Flashcard 30: Which amendment guarantees due process?

Answer: The Fourteenth Amendment. Protects against arbitrary government action in legal proceedings.

Flashcard 31: What is the term length for a Supreme Court Justice?

Answer: Lifetime appointment. Ensures judicial independence from political pressure and electoral cycles.

Flashcard 32: What is judicial activism?

Answer: Courts should play an active role in policy making. Philosophy supporting broad judicial interpretation to address social issues.

Flashcard 33: Identify the case that legalized same-sex marriage.

Answer: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). Established marriage equality as a fundamental constitutional right.

Flashcard 34: What is an amicus curiae brief?

Answer: A 'friend of the court' brief to influence a decision. Allows interested parties to provide legal arguments in pending cases.

Flashcard 35: What is judicial restraint?

Answer: Courts should not decide issues unless necessary. Philosophy favoring limited judicial intervention in policy matters.

Flashcard 36: Which branch of government can nominate Supreme Court justices?

Answer: The Executive Branch. The President nominates all federal judges and Supreme Court justices.

Flashcard 37: Which amendment provides for equal protection under the law?

Answer: The Fourteenth Amendment. Requires states to treat all citizens equally under the law.

Flashcard 38: Identify the court case that established 'one person, one vote'.

Answer: Reynolds v. Sims (1964). Required equal representation in legislative districts based on population.

Flashcard 39: What is judicial activism?

Answer: Courts should play an active role in policy making. Philosophy supporting broad judicial interpretation to address social issues.

Flashcard 40: What is an amicus curiae brief?

Answer: A 'friend of the court' brief to influence a decision. Allows interested parties to provide legal arguments in pending cases.

Flashcard 41: Which document establishes the judicial branch?

Answer: The U.S. Constitution. Article III specifically creates the federal court system.

Flashcard 42: What role does the Senate play in judicial appointments?

Answer: Confirms judicial nominees. Senate advice and consent is required for all federal judicial appointments.

Flashcard 43: What is the 'Rule of Four' in the Supreme Court?

Answer: Four justices must agree to grant a writ of certiorari. Minimum threshold needed to hear a case on discretionary appeal.

Flashcard 44: Which amendment protects the right to a fair trial?

Answer: The Sixth Amendment. Guarantees speedy trial, jury trial, and legal representation.

Flashcard 45: What is the term length for a Supreme Court Justice?

Answer: Lifetime appointment. Ensures judicial independence from political pressure and electoral cycles.

Flashcard 46: What is appellate jurisdiction?

Answer: The power to review and revise lower court decisions. Most Supreme Court cases come through appellate review of lower courts.

Flashcard 47: Which court case desegregated public schools?

Answer: Brown v. Board of Education (1954). Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson's 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Flashcard 48: What is a precedent?

Answer: A previous court decision that influences future cases. Forms the basis of common law system and legal consistency.

Flashcard 49: Which principle requires courts to follow precedents?

Answer: Stare decisis. Latin for 'let the decision stand' - promotes legal stability.

Flashcard 50: Identify the case that legalized same-sex marriage.

Answer: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). Established marriage equality as a fundamental constitutional right.

Flashcard 51: What is judicial restraint?

Answer: Courts should not decide issues unless necessary. Philosophy favoring limited judicial intervention in policy matters.

Flashcard 52: What is original jurisdiction?

Answer: The court's power to hear a case first. Limited to specific cases like disputes between states.

Flashcard 53: What role does the Chief Justice play in impeachment trials?

Answer: Presides over Senate impeachment trials. Ensures impartial leadership during presidential impeachment proceedings.

Flashcard 54: Which branch of government can nominate Supreme Court justices?

Answer: The Executive Branch. The President nominates all federal judges and Supreme Court justices.

Flashcard 55: What is the purpose of a grand jury?

Answer: To determine if there is enough evidence to indict. Screens cases to determine if formal charges should be filed.

Flashcard 56: Which case established judicial review?

Answer: Marbury v. Madison (1803). Chief Justice Marshall first asserted this power, creating lasting precedent.

Flashcard 57: Who has the power to impeach a federal judge?

Answer: The House of Representatives. Constitutional power to remove federal judges for misconduct.