Name ____________________________    Date ______________

Chapter 11: State Government

Section 4: State Courts

Focus:

1)                 How are state courts similar to federal courts?

What State Courts Do:

2)                 What are the three levels of state courts?

3)                 How do state courts act to “check and balance” the powers of the other branches of state government?

Selection of Judges:

4)                 What are the four different ways states select judges (Chart pg. 256)

5)                 What are some of the advantages of having judges run for election?

6)                 What are some of the disadvantages of electing judges?

7)       What is the Missouri Plan and how does this attempt to fix some of the problems with electing judges?

Terms of Service:

8)          What determines the length of time judges spend in office and for how long do most terms last?

9)              What steps may be taken against a judge who is not doing his or her job well?

Case Study: Federalism and the Courts:

10)     How do the Oregon and California Supreme Court cases demonstrate federalism?