Chapter 13

Question 1

A “friend of the court” brief submitted to the court by an outside interest who is not a party to the case.

Answer 1

Amicus Curiae

Question 2

An opinion written by one or more Supreme Court justices who vote with the majority in a decision, but disagree with the legal reasoning behind it.

Answer 2

concurring opinion

Question 3

The power of the court to review actions taken by the other branches of government and the states and to rule on whether those actions are constitutional.

Answer 3

judicial review

Question 4

The doctrine that the judiciary should closely follow the wording of the law, be highly respectful of precedent, and defer to the judgment of legislatures.

Answer 4

Judicial restraint

Question 5

The appeals courts of the federal court system that review decisions of the lower courts.

Answer 5

circuit courts

Question 6

A term that means that the issue has already been decided in earlier cases and those precedents should be applied.

Answer 6

Stare Decisis

Question 7

An opinion written by a Supreme Court justice explaining his or her reasons for disagreeing with the majority’s decision.

Answer 7

dissenting opinion

Question 8

The doctrine that the judiciary should develop new legal principles when judges see a compelling need, even if it conflicts with precedent and policy decisions by elected officials.

Answer 8

Judicial activism

Question 9

The trial courts of the federal court system.

Answer 9

district courts

Question 10

An opinion of the Court that results when a majority of the justices are in agreement on the legal basis of the decision.

Answer 10

majority opinion