AP gov judicial system Flashcards
Standing to Sue
The requirement that plaintiffs have a serious interest in a case
Class Action Suits
Lawsuits permitting a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similarly suited
Justiciable disputes
To be heard a case must be capable of being settled by law
Amicus Curiae Briefs
Legal briefs submitted for the purpose of raising additional points of view
Original Jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first
Appellate Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction of courts that hear cases on appeal from lower courts
District courts
91 Federal courts of original jurisdiction
Courts of appeal
Appellate courts empowered to review all final decisions of district courts
Supreme Court
The pinnacle of the American Judicial System
Senatorial Courtesy
Nominations for state-level federal judicial posts aren’t confirmed if opposed by a senator in the same state and in the president’s party
Solicitor General
In charge of the appellate court litigation of the federal government
Opinion
A statement of legal reasoning behind a judicial decision
Stare decisis
“Let the Decision Stand”, cases reaching appellate courts are settled on this principle
Precedents
How other cases have been decided in the past
Original Intent
Thought that the Constitution should be interpreted according how the framers wrote it
Judicial implementation
How court decisions are translated into actual policy
Marbury vs. Mason
Case in 1803 that asserted the right to the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the constitution
Judicial Review
The power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress follow the Constituion
US vs Nixon
1974 case in which the Supreme Court thought that executive privilege couldn’t be extended to protect relevant documents in cases
Judicial Restraint
Philosophy in which Judges play minimal policy making roles
Judicial Activism
Philosophy in which Judges make bold policy making decisions
Political questions
Doctrine developed by federal courts used to avoid deciding some cases
