Chapter 14 Flashcards
Judicial Review
The power of the courts to declare acts of the legislature and of the executive to be unconstitutional and hence null and void.
Strict Constructionist
the view that judges should decide cases on the basis of the language of the constitution
Judicial Activist
the philosophy that the supreme court should play an active role in shaping national policies by addressing social and political issues
District Court
the lowest federal courts where federal cases begin
Courts of Appeals
The federal courts with authority to review decisions by federal district courts, regulator commissions, and certain other federal courts.
Legislative Courts
a court that is created by congress for some specialized purpose and staffed with judges who do not enjoy the protection of Article III of the constitution
Senatorial Courtesy
Presidential custom of submitting the names of prospective appointees for approval to senators from the states in which the appointees are to work.
Blue Slips
Piece of paper on which the senator is asked to record his or her views on the nominee for judge.
Litmus Test
an examination of the political ideology of a nominated judge
Dual Court Systems
Federal and State Courts
Civil law
law concerned with private wrongs against individuals
Criminal Law
law concerned with public wrongs against society
Writ of Certiorari
a common law writ issued by a superior court to one of inferior jurisdiction demanding the record of a particular case
Class Action Suit
Lawsuit brought by an individual or a group of people on behalf of all those similarly situated
Briefs
written documents in which attorneys explain, using case precedents, why the court should find in favor of their client
