Media Law and Ethics Exam 1 Questions with 100% Correct Answers

The three branches of the federal government are given authority by what document? - ANSWER-- the U.S. Constitution The two most recent additions to the U.S. Supreme court are... - ANSWER-Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan There are two types of courts in the American legal system -- trail courts and appellate courts. Which of the following better defines trail courts? - Trial courts are trier of facts. Their goal is to determine what happened. - Trail courts review the application of law. They review decisions by lower courts and uphold or overturn trail decisions. - ANSWER-- Trial courts are trier of facts. Their goal is to determine what happened. What is a per curiam opinion - ANSWER-an unsigned opinion by the court as a whole What is an amicus brief? - ANSWER-It is a submission to the court from an amicus curiae or "friend of the court," an interested individual or organization that is not a party in the case What is stare decisis - ANSWER-Also called precedent - It is the legal principle that courts should stand by what has been decided. In the American legal system, it is not absolutely binding, meaning that courts can overturn a precedent. What is the name of the motion that media outlets can use to dismiss frivolous lawsuits? - ANSWER-Summary judgement What is the Rule of Law? - ANSWER-It is the framework of a society in which pre-established norms and procedures provide for consistent, neutral decision making. At least how many justices on the U.S. Supreme Court are needed before an appeal is granted? - ANSWER-four. Marbury V. Madison is a significant case because - ANSWER-the U.S. Supreme Court essentially granted itself the power to overturn any laws it said violates the U.S. Constitution According to the textbook, which are some of the reasons prior restraints are constitutional?