The Courts

Chapter 8 Wrap-Up

1. Describe the organization of the lower federal courts.

2. What is the selection process for lower-court judges?

3. How has the Supreme Court’s power changed since the late 1700s?

4. Describe the process a case goes through in the Supreme Court.

5. How do the executive and legislative branches check the Supreme Court’s power?

6. What are some common criticisms of the judiciary?

7. How are criminal laws and civil laws different?

8. List the four main types of laws.

9. List the steps that an accused person typically goes through after being booked by the police.

10. What part does the grand jury play in indicting someone who is accused of a crime?

11. Why can different people convicted of the same crime receive widely different sentences?

12. What are two benefits of probation?

13. By what process is a prisoner granted parole?

14. In what ways are juvenile offenders treated differently from adults?

15. What are the major arguments for and against the death penalty?