Study Guide, Final Exam, Fall 2012 Unit IV: Courts and Civil Liberties
Professor Molloy
The final exam will be given in the regular classroom 109 South Kedzie Hall
Section 001 will take its final on Monday, Dec. 10 from 7:45-9:45 a.m.
Section 002 will take its test on Monday, Dec. 10 from 12:45 - 2:45 p.m.
The classroom is not large enough to accommodate two large sections, so you must take the exam when it is scheduled by the university.
The final will cover all reading assignments indicated on the course outline for Unit IV: all of Molloy book, Landmarks in Liberty; Chapter 6 in Politics, Power and Authority and lecture materials presented November 5th –December 6th.
THE COURTS
Why is it said that the U.S. has a dual court system? There is a federal judicial system and 50 state court systems. What is the meaning of the concept of jurisdiction? A court has the right to hear a particular type of case. What is the meaning of the doctrine of “presumption of validity?” Courts must assume that, unless the burden of the evidence is clearly to the contrary, legislatures would not enact or executives sign into law measures which violate the constitution. What is the meaning of the term “stare decisis?”? Legal term meaning let the decision stand. Establishes precedents stand unless overruled. Judges may overrule if they have compelling reasons to establish new precedents. What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony? An anti-social conduct that is relatively minor is called a misdemeanor. A felony is a disorderly conduct that is more severe. What happens in the event of a conflict between a state law and a Federal law or a state law and a U.S. treaty? Federal law overrides state law any day. What is meant by “judicial activism?” Interpretation of the constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence