AP U.S. Government and Politics Flashcards: The Role of the Judicial Branch
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
A new president appoints several justices with different judicial philosophies than their predecessors. What is a potential long-term effect on the law?
This ideological change in the Supreme Court's composition could lead to the Court rejecting existing precedents and establishing new ones in future rulings.
Card 1 of 10
All Flashcards (10)
A new president appoints several justices with different judicial philosophies than their predecessors. What is a potential long-term effect on the law?
This ideological change in the Supreme Court's composition could lead to the Court rejecting existing precedents and establishing new ones in future rulings.
If the Supreme Court overturns a major 40-year-old decision, what does this suggest about the Court's view on stare decisis in that instance?
It suggests that ideological changes in the Court's composition have led the majority to reject an existing precedent rather than follow the doctrine of stare decisis.
Why is the presidential appointment power significant for the evolution of constitutional law?
This power is significant because it can change the ideological composition of the Supreme Court, which in turn can lead to new interpretations of the law and the rejection of existing precedents.
What is stare decisis?
Stare decisis is the legal doctrine under which courts follow legal precedents when deciding cases with similar facts.
How do presidential appointments influence the stability of legal precedent?
Presidential appointments can change the ideological makeup of the Supreme Court, which may lead the new Court to reject existing precedents and establish new ones.
What is a legal precedent?
A legal precedent is a past judicial decision that serves as a rule or guide for deciding subsequent cases with similar facts.
Explain the role of legal precedent in judicial decision-making.
Legal precedent plays a crucial role by guiding courts to follow previous rulings in cases with similar facts, a principle known as stare decisis.
What can lead to the Supreme Court establishing new precedents or rejecting existing ones?
Ideological changes in the composition of the Supreme Court, which are often the result of presidential appointments, can lead to the establishment or rejection of precedents.
Explain the relationship between stare decisis and the ideological composition of the Supreme Court.
While stare decisis promotes following precedent, ideological changes in the Court due to appointments can lead justices to deviate from or overturn precedents they disagree with.
If a court follows a previous ruling in a similar case, what principle is it applying?
The court is applying the legal doctrine of stare decisis, which obligates courts to follow established legal precedents.