The Judicial System in Our Democracy – Chap. 13, Lesson 1

1. Summarize three functions of law in a democratic society.
2. List four early systems of law.
3. Why must the judicial branch interpret laws?
4. Summarize the “rule of law” concept.
5. How can the judicial branch check the legislative and executive branches?
6. How can the legislative and executive branches check the judicial branch?
7. Summarize four ways the rules of our legal system limit the power of the judiciary.
8. List four elements that insure judicial impartiality.
9. Explain the arguments in favor of lifetime appointment of judges and those that support election.

Trials – Chap. 13, Lesson 2

1. How do criminal cases differ from civil cases?
2.  Describe some of the elements of the adversarial trial system.
3. Know, but don’t write them here, the definitions of plaintiff, defendant, prosecutor & jury.
4. What did the US Supreme Court rule in Gideon v. Wainwright? What have some critics of the case claimed?
5. Describe three ways juries are an important component to our legal system.
6. Describe the grand jury indictment system guaranteed by the 5th Amendment.
7. List three jury requirements found in the 6th Amendment.
8. What did the Supreme Court rule in Hernandez v. Texas?

Appeals – Chap. 13, Lesson 3

1. When can a party successfully appeal a case?
2. Know the difference, but don’t write them here, of the three kinds of opinions issued by appellate courts.
3. How is the principle of stare decisis (precedence) important in our legal system?