William_T._Bianco,_David_T._Canon]_American_Polit

528 Chapter 14 | The Courts

Hearing cases before the

Supreme Court

Describe the Supreme Court’s procedures for hearing a

case. (Pages 510–514)

Summary

When hearing a case, the justices prepare by reading briefs before

they hear the oral arguments. After oral arguments, the justices meet

in conference to discuss and vote on the cases. The majority opinion

explains the rationale for how a decision is reached, although justices

can also write dissenting and concurring opinions.

Key terms

amicus curiae (p. 510) oral arguments (p. 511)

Practice Quiz Questions

11. The most important impact of a large number of amicus curiae
    briefs on a case is.
    a the decision is more likely to be unanimous
    b the case is more likely to be heard
    c the decision is more likely to go against the government
    d the case is less likely to be heard
    e the decision is more likely to have a liberal outcome


12. Oral arguments generally last , and justices
    wait until the end of the arguments to ask
    questions.
    a one hour; will
    b one hour; do not
    c one day; will
    d one week; will
    e one week; do not


13. Generally, the chief justice or the ustice decides j
    who writes the majority opinion; justices’ individual areas of
    expertise a factor in making this assignment.
    a most junior; are not
    b most junior; are
    c most senior; are not
    d most senior; are
    e dissenting; are not

Supreme Court decision

making

Analyze the factors that influence Supreme Court

decisions. (Pages 514–520)

7. The president appoints federal judges with the “advice and
   consent” of the.
   a House of Representatives
   b Senate
   c Supreme Court
   d attorney general
   e vice president

Access to the Supreme Court

Describe how cases reach the Supreme Court.

(Pages 505–510)

Summary

The Supreme Court hears only about 1 percent of the cases that are

brought to it. To help decide which cases to hear, the Court generally

uses three factors: collusion, standing, and mootness. Ultimately, the

justices have a great deal of discretion in deciding to hear a case, but

they can only hear cases that come to them.

Key terms

writ of certiorari (p. 507)

mootness (p. 508)

cert pool (p. 509)

solicitor general (p. 509)

Practice Quiz Questions

8. When a litigant who lost in a lower court files a petition, the
   case reaches the Supreme Court.
   a as a matter of right
   b through a writ of certification
   c through a writ of certiorari
   d as a matter of original jurisdiction
   e through senatorial courtesy


9. means that the controversy is not relevant when the
   Court hears the case.
   a Mootness
   b Amicus
   c Collusion
   d Standing
   e Precedent


10. Most justices in initially deciding which cases should
    be heard.
    a personally review all cases
    b personally review a random sample of cases
    c follow the recommendations of the chief justice
    d use a random selection process
    e use a cert pool

Full_15_APT_64431_ch14_488-529.indd 528 16/11/18 1:47 PM