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POLS 2311 CH 11 & 12
EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
1. Aside from the justices themselves, who or what has the
greatest power in shaping the flow of cases to the Supreme
Court? - correct answer-the solicitor general
2. A person, agency, or interest group not directly a party to a
case but with an interest in its outcome may file a(n)
________ brief. - correct answer-amicus curiae
3. Why is Marbury v. Madison (1803) an important case? -
correct answer-In this case, the justices authorized the
Supreme Court to exercise judicial review over laws passed
by Congress.
4. Most cases reach the Supreme Court through - correct
answer-a writ of certiorari.
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5. In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff? -
correct answer-Criminal
6. The size of the U.S. Supreme Court is set by - correct
answer-The size of the U.S. Supreme Court is set by
7. How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court? -
correct answer-9
8. Cases in which the U.S. government is a party are - correct
answer-always heard in a federal court.
9. The doctrine of ________ requires courts to follow
authoritative prior decisions when ruling on a case. - correct
answer-stare decisis
10. A plea bargain is a negotiated agreement in a criminal
case in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for
the state's agreement to reduce the severity of the criminal
charge the defendant is facing. - correct answer-True
POLS 2311 CH 11 & 12
EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
1. Aside from the justices themselves, who or what has the
greatest power in shaping the flow of cases to the Supreme
Court? - correct answer-the solicitor general
2. A person, agency, or interest group not directly a party to a
case but with an interest in its outcome may file a(n)
________ brief. - correct answer-amicus curiae
3. Why is Marbury v. Madison (1803) an important case? -
correct answer-In this case, the justices authorized the
Supreme Court to exercise judicial review over laws passed
by Congress.
4. Most cases reach the Supreme Court through - correct
answer-a writ of certiorari.
, Page | 2
5. In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff? -
correct answer-Criminal
6. The size of the U.S. Supreme Court is set by - correct
answer-The size of the U.S. Supreme Court is set by
7. How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court? -
correct answer-9
8. Cases in which the U.S. government is a party are - correct
answer-always heard in a federal court.
9. The doctrine of ________ requires courts to follow
authoritative prior decisions when ruling on a case. - correct
answer-stare decisis
10. A plea bargain is a negotiated agreement in a criminal
case in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for
the state's agreement to reduce the severity of the criminal
charge the defendant is facing. - correct answer-True
