Review Questions Q1:When should a judge recuse himself or herself from a case?

A: When the judge is interested in the subject matter or he has a relationship with someone who has an interest in it.

Q2:What kinds of court cases are heard by federal courts? Name at least three.

A: More specifically, federal courts hear criminal, civil, and bankruptcy cases. And once a case is decided, it can often be appealed.

Q3:How does the Supreme Court determine whether or not to hear a case?

A:The Justices use the “Rule of Four” to decide if they will take the case. If four of the nine Justices feel the case has value, they will issue a writ of certiorari. The majority of the Supreme Court's cases today are heard on appeal from the lower courts.

Q5:What is the difference between a fact witness and an expert witness?

A:A fact witness is called upon only to verify facts pertinent to the case. Expert witnesses, on the other hand, maybe asked to tell the court what their expertise leads them to believe in the case at hand.

Q6:Explain the purpose and importance of a sidebar.

A:The purpose of a side bar is for attorneys to confer with the judge to privately about certain witnesses being used or if specific evidence can be omitted, so that the jury will not hear in order for it to not affect their decision on the outcome of the case.

Critical Thinking Questions
Q1:Do you think federal judges should be appointed for life? Why or why not?

A:I believe that federal judges should not be appointed for life. i believe this because new judges open a window to new insight, which is beneficial to our world changing so quickly.

Q2:Do you think that expert witnesses should be paid? Why or why not?

A: I believe that an expert witness should be paid as they are taking time out of their day to go to court and help support a party.

Q3:Who do you think is the most important person in the courtroom during a trial? Explain.

A:I believe that the most important person in the courtroom during the trial are the members of the jury, I believe this because they are assigned the most important job. Their job is to listen to the evidence presented and make a decision towards if a person is guilty or not guilty.

Q4:Do you think the law should dictate what the sentence for a particular crime should be? Why or why not?

A:I think that the law should dictate what the sentence for a particular crime should be. If you specify a certain punishment for every crime everyone commits, it would eliminate the chance that two differents judges assign two different punishments.

Q5:Do you think attorneys should be able to dismiss jurors without stating a specific reason? Why or why not?

A:I do not believe that attorneys should be able to dismiss a juror without a reason under certain circumstances. I believe that if a juror has spent a certain amount of hours working throughout the process that day, they should not be able to be dismissed without a reason, however, if it is early in the process, I believe that an attorney can dismiss a juror without a reason.