comprehension: understanding main ideas
on a separate sheet of paper, write the answers to the
following questions using complete sentences.
1) federal district courts hear cases of persons accused of
breaking laws passed by congress. what are these laws?
2) why would a person go to an appeals court?
3) if the judges in a court of appeals decide a case was not
tried fairly, what happens to the case?
4) what is included in a written opinion of the supreme
court?
5) when does the supreme court hear cases?
critical thinking: write your opinion
1) do you think the supreme court should be allowed to
change its mind and reverse an earlier decision? give
reasons for your answer.
2) if you were asked to serve on a jury, would you look
forward to the experience or try to be excused from the
responsibility? why?
3) do you think that the supreme court is too powerful?
why or why not?
test taking tip do not wait until the night before a
test to study. plan your study time so that you can get a
good night’s sleep the night before the test.
the judicial branch chapter 8

Question

comprehension: understanding main ideas
on a separate sheet of paper, write the answers to the
following questions using complete sentences.
1) federal district courts hear cases of persons accused of
   breaking laws passed by congress. what are these laws?
2) why would a person go to an appeals court?
3) if the judges in a court of appeals decide a case was not
   tried fairly, what happens to the case?
4) what is included in a written opinion of the supreme
   court?
5) when does the supreme court hear cases?
critical thinking: write your opinion
1) do you think the supreme court should be allowed to
   change its mind and reverse an earlier decision? give
   reasons for your answer.
2) if you were asked to serve on a jury, would you look
   forward to the experience or try to be excused from the
   responsibility? why?
3) do you think that the supreme court is too powerful?
   why or why not?
test taking tip  do not wait until the night before a
test to study. plan your study time so that you can get a
good night’s sleep the night before the test.
the judicial branch  chapter 8

Accepted Answer

### Comprehension: Understanding Main Ideas
1. **Brief Explanations**: Laws passed by Congress are federal statutes, which are laws enacted by the legislative branch at the federal level to govern various aspects of the nation.
   **Answer**: These laws are federal statutes (or federal laws) passed by the legislative branch of the United States government, Congress, to regulate different areas of national life.
2. **Brief Explanations**: A person goes to an appeals court when they believe there was an error in the legal process or the application of law in the trial court (like district court) and want a higher court to review and potentially reverse or modify the lower - court decision.
   **Answer**: A person would go to an appeals court if they believe that the trial court (such as a federal district court) made a legal error in the handling of their case, and they want the appeals court to review and potentially change the lower - court's decision.
3. **Brief Explanations**: If the appeals court judges find the case was not tried fairly, they will send the case back (remand it) to the lower court (the trial court) for a new trial to be conducted in a fair manner.
   **Answer**: If the judges in a court of appeals decide a case was not tried fairly, the case will be remanded (sent back) to the lower (trial) court for a new trial to be held in a fair way.
4. **Brief Explanations**: A written opinion of the Supreme Court includes the court's decision on the case, the legal reasoning (the interpretation of laws, precedents, etc.) behind the decision, and may also include dissenting opinions from justices who disagreed with the majority decision.
   **Answer**: A written opinion of the Supreme Court includes the court's ruling on the case, the legal reasoning that supports this ruling (such as how laws and precedents are interpreted), and may also include the dissenting opinions of justices who did not agree with the majority decision.
5. **Brief Explanations**: The Supreme Court hears cases when it grants a writ of certiorari, usually for cases involving important constitutional questions, conflicts between lower courts on legal issues, or cases of national significance. It has a specific term (usually from October to June) during which it hears cases.
   **Answer**: The Supreme Court hears cases when it grants a writ of certiorari, typically for cases that involve significant constitutional issues, conflicts in legal interpretations among lower courts, or cases of national importance. It hears cases during its annual term, which generally runs from October to June.

### Critical Thinking: Write Your Opinion
1. **Brief Explanations**: The Supreme Court should be allowed to reverse earlier decisions. Society and legal interpretations change over time. For example, in cases like *Brown v. Board of Education* (reversing *Plessy v. Ferguson*), the understanding of civil rights and equality evolved, and the Court's ability to reverse allowed for progress in line with modern values.
   **Answer**: I think the Supreme Court should be allowed to change its mind and reverse an earlier decision. Society, social values, and the understanding of the law change over time. For instance, the decision in *Brown v. Board of Education* reversed the earlier *Plessy v. Ferguson* decision. The earlier decision upheld racial segregation, but as the country's view on racial equality evolved, the Supreme Court's reversal was necessary to promote justice and align with modern values of equality.
2. **Brief Explanations**: I would look forward to serving on a jury. Jury service is a civic duty that allows a citizen to participate in the justice system, ensure a fair trial, and gain a deeper understanding of how the legal system works. It is a way to contribute to the community and uphold the principles of justice.
   **Answer**: If I were asked to serve on a jury, I would look forward to the experience. Jury service is an important civic duty that allows me to participate in the justice system, help ensure a fair trial for the parties involved, and gain a better understanding of how the legal process operates. It is a chance to contribute to the community and uphold the principles of justice.
3. **Brief Explanations**: The Supreme Court is not too powerful. It has checks and balances: its decisions can be challenged through constitutional amendments (though difficult), and it relies on the other branches (executive to enforce, legislative to make laws) to have its decisions take effect. Also, its power is limited to judicial review of cases brought before it, not arbitrary rule - making.
   **Answer**: I do not think the Supreme Court is too powerful. It operates within a system of checks and balances. Its decisions can be indirectly challenged through the amendment of the Constitution (although this is a difficult process), and it depends on the executive branch to enforce its rulings and the legislative branch to create laws. Additionally, its power is restricted to the judicial review of cases that are properly brought before it, and it does not have the authority to make laws or enforce them arbitrarily.

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Comprehension: Understanding Main Ideas

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