Judiciary Topics

AP GOV Key Information - The information provided here breaks down what you can expect to see on the AP Exam. Be sure to check out the videos below before moving on.

Expand the items below to learn more about each topic. The Essential Knowledge section is a great way to review the content you will be expected to know and each section has videos explaining that topic in further depth.

TOPIC 2.8 The Judicial Branch

Learning Objective

LO 2.8.A

Explain the principle of judicial review and how it checks the power of other branches.

Essential Knowledge

EK 2.8.A.1

The foundation for powers of the judicial branch and the argument for how its independence checks the power of other branches is set forth in the following documents, respectively:

Article III of the Constitution
Federalist No. 78

Review Videos

Review the two videos below before moving forward in this module.

Video 1 - The Judicial Branch by Carey LaManna

Video 2 - The Judicial Branch by Heimler's History

TOPIC 2.9 The Role of the Judicial Branch

Learning Objective

LO 2.9.A

Explain the role of legal precedent in judicial decision making.

Essential Knowledge

EK 2.9.A.1

Stare decisis (the legal doctrine under which courts follow legal precedents when deciding cases with similar facts) plays an important role in judicial decision making.

EK 2.9.A.2

Ideological changes in the composition of the Supreme Court due to presidential appointments have led to the Court’s establishing new or rejecting existing precedents.

Review Videos

Review the two videos below before moving forward in this module.

Video 1 - Role of the Judicial Branch by Carey LaManna

Video 2 - Legitimacy of the JUDICIAL BRANCH by Heimler's History

TOPIC 2.10 The Court in Action

Learning Objective

LO 2.10.A

Explain how life tenure can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power.

Essential Knowledge

EK 2.10.A.1

Life tenure for justices allows the court to function independent of the current political climate. As a result of this independence, the Court can deliver controversial or unpopular court decisions, which in turn can lead to debate about the court’s power.

Review Videos

Review the two videos below before moving forward in this module.

Video 1 - The Court in Action by Carey LaManna

Video 2 - Judicial Review…Judicial Activism…The Supreme Court in Action & How It Can Be CHECKED by Heimler's History

TOPIC 2.11 Checks on the Judicial Branch

Learning Objective

LO 2.11.A

Explain how the exercise of judicial review can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power.

LO 2.11.B

Explain how other branches in the government can limit the Supreme Court’s power

Essential Knowledge

EK 2.11.A.1

Explain how the exercise of judicial review can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power.

Judicial activism asserts that judicial review allows the courts to overturn current Constitutional and case precedent or invalidate legislative or executive acts.
Judicial restraint asserts that judicial review should be constrained to decisions that adhere to current Constitutional and case precedent.

EK 2.11.B.1

Restrictions on the Supreme Court are represented by:

Congressional legislation to modify the impact of prior Supreme Court decisions
Ratification of a Constitutional amendment
Judicial appointments and confirmations which may shift the ideological balance of the court
The president and states delaying implementation of a Supreme Court decision
Enacting legislation to limit the cases the Supreme Court can hear on appeal by removing the court’s jurisdiction over a case

Review Videos

Review the video below before moving forward in this module.

Checks on the Judicial Branch by Carey LaManna

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