American Government

The Courts

Why does the U.S. have a dual court system?
What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
What are the three levels of the national court system?
How did the Supreme Court change its emphasis since the New Deal?
Why is a Supreme Court opinion often more important than the decision it is attached to?
Why are there often multiple opinions attached to a Supreme Court decision?
How does someone become a member of the Supreme Court?
Who is currently the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

Key Terms
dual court system
precedent
judicial review
class action suit
jurisdiction
justiciability
standing
writs of certiorari
decision
opinions
majority opinion
concurring opinion
plurality opinion
dissenting opinion
per curiam opinion
judicial activism
judicial restraint
senatorial courtesy