Question

17,451 Learners found this answer helpful

the role of the supreme court
the supreme court of the united states has two important functions. first, it reviews laws passed by both the federal and the state governments. any law found to violate the constitution is struck down. the other important job of the supreme court is to serve as the final court of appeals in the united states. once a case is handled by the supreme court, it can go no further.
when the supreme court hears cases that have come to it from the lower courts, it is exercising its appellate jurisdiction. however, the supreme court has original (first) jurisdiction in two kinds of cases: cases involving either state governments or foreign diplomats. all other matters come to the supreme court only on appeal.
the supreme court is in session each year from october to june. for part of this time it hears cases that originated in the lower courts. lawyers present their arguments, and justices later reach a decision behind closed doors. the justices may hear a number of cases for several weeks before handing down decisions on any of them. these decisions are determined by majority vote.
the supreme court cannot make laws, but its decisions often have far - reaching effects on american life. its 1954 school desegregation ruling, for example, overturned state laws that had been in existence for many years.
supreme court justices are appointed to life terms and can only be removed through the process of impeachment. in our nation’s history, no supreme court justices have ever been forced to step down. although one justice in the past was impeached (charged), not enough votes were gathered in the senate to remove him from office.
decide whether the statements below are true or false. write t or f in each blank.

1. ____ the supreme court can reverse or confirm decisions made by lower courts.
2. ____ the president has the power to remove a supreme court justice from office.
3. ____ the supreme court remains in session throughout the entire year.
4. ____ only a majority vote is needed for the supreme court to render a decision.
5. ____ the supreme court makes all decisions behind closed doors.
6. ____ the supreme court has the power to make new laws.
7. ____ cases involving state governments and foreign diplomats are tried before the supreme court.
8. ____ the supreme court has only appellate jurisdiction.
9. ____ the supreme court can declare an existing law unconstitutional.
10. why do you think supreme court justices and other federal judges are appointed by the president (with the senate’s approval) rather than elected by the people?

Explanation:

1. The Supreme Court is the final court of appeals and can reverse or confirm lower - court decisions.
2. Supreme Court justices can only be removed through impeachment, not by the President.
3. The Supreme Court is in session from October to June, not throughout the year.
4. Decisions are determined by majority vote in the Supreme Court.
5. Justices reach decisions behind closed doors after lawyers present arguments.
6. The Supreme Court cannot make laws; it interprets them.
7. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases involving state governments or foreign diplomats.
8. The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction.
9. The Supreme Court can strike down laws found to be unconstitutional.
10. Appointing rather than electing judges is to ensure they are independent and make decisions based on law rather than public opinion.

Answer:

1. T
2. F
3. F
4. T
5. T
6. F
7. T
8. F
9. T
10. To ensure judicial independence and decisions based on law rather than public opinion.