1. Is it essential that a country with a government like that of the United States should have some body vested with the power to declare laws unconstitutional? Why or why not? 2. Under what circumstances might a murder case come to the Supreme Court? 3. Tell in each case whether the following controversies would come up in the federal or the state courts and give your reasons: (_a_) a man charged with murder on an American ship at sea; (_b_) a suit between the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey and the Ford Motor Company of Michigan; (_c_) a suit brought by Nicholas Nickleby, a citizen of Illinois, against the State of New York; (_d_) a charge of embezzlement brought against the cashier of a national bank; (_e_) a complaint against a railroad conductor for assaulting a passenger at a railroad station in Pennsylvania; (_f_) a charge against a foreign ambassador; (_g_) a suit brought by a citizen of Massachusetts against a citizen of California for non-payment of a note. 4. What are the subordinate federal courts? How are they organized? How are judges appointed and for what terms? How are they removed? 5. Describe all the steps in a criminal trial by jury, from arrest to conviction. 6. Explain the following terms, using a dictionary where needed: plaintiff; jury panel; venireman; demurrer; second jeopardy; appellate jurisdiction; writ of habeas corpus; affidavit; cross-examination; peremptory challenge; counsel for the defendant. 7. Why should not every voter be required to do jury service when his turn comes? What classes of citizens are exempted in your state? Do you think that these exemptions are justified? Is it right that women should be called on for jury service? Are there any cases in which they should not serve? 8. To what extent should the right of appeal be limited? 9. If a person is found not guilty and a few days later confesses that he actually did commit the crime with which he was charged, he cannot be placed on trial again. Do you think this is right? Why does this rule exist? 10. What suggestions can you make for the prevention of existing delays in the administration of justice? Topics for Debate 1. The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional should be taken away. 2. Trial by jury should be abolished in civil cases. 3. The loser in a law suit should not be compelled to pay all the winner’s costs, including his lawyer’s fees. ----- Footnote 137: This is old French for _Hear Ye! Hear Ye!_ The custom of opening a court session with these words goes back to the time of the Plantagenets in English history. Footnote 138: