Chapter 6 Vocab Flashcards

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1
Q

Federalist 78

A

argues judicial review pretty much

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2
Q

common law

A

a collection of judge-made laws that developed over centuries and is based on decisions made by previous judges.

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3
Q

Precedence

A

The practice of deciding new cases with reference to former decisions

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4
Q

stare decisis

A

When a court faces a legal argument, if a previous court has ruled on the same or a closely related issue, then the court will make their decision in alignment with the previous court’s decision.

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5
Q

original jurisdiction

A

the Supreme Court is the first, and only, Court to hear a case.

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6
Q

Appellate jurisdiction

A

cases that can only be appealed to the Supreme Court after first being heard in a lower court

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7
Q

writ of mandamus

A

an order from a court to an inferior government official ordering the government official to properly fulfill their official duties or correct an abuse of discretion.

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8
Q

district courts

A

trial courts of original jurisdiction; they hear no appeals, and they are the only federal courts in which trials are held and juries may sit.

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9
Q

courts of appeal

A

have appellate jurisdiction only; no cases go to them first, they review any final decisions of district courts

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10
Q

plaintiff

A

the person bringing the charges in court

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11
Q

defendant

A

the person being charged in court

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12
Q

class action suits

A

permit a small number of people to represent all other people similarly situated. (ex: BROWN v Board of Education

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13
Q

solicitor general

A

a person who represents the government to the Supreme Court; a defense lawyer to the government

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14
Q

Jury

A

a group of citizens (usually twelve) is responsible for determining the innocence or guilt of the accused

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15
Q

dual court system

A

one federal, and one state. The Constitution gives certain kinds of cases to federal courts, and by implication leaves all the rest to state courts.

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16
Q

federal-question cases

A

federal courts hear cases “arising under the Constitution, the law of the United States, and treaties”

17
Q

diversity cases

A

the Federal court’s jurisdiction over cases involving a controversy between citizens of different States or between citizens of a State and of a foreign nation.

18
Q

dual sovereignty

A

state and federal authorities may prosecute the same person for the same conduct under both state and federal law

19
Q

senatorial courtesy

A

a custom whereby presidential appointments are confirmed only if there is no objection to them by the senators from the appointee’s state

20
Q

senate confirmation

A

The Senate has the sole power to confirm those of the President’s appointments that require consent, and to provide advice and consent to ratify treaties.

21
Q

Litmus Test

A

a test of ideological purity for candidates before they may be nominated and/or confirmed to the Supreme Court

22
Q

habeas corpus

A

a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment.

23
Q

Amicus curiae

A

“friends of the court”; individuals, organizations, or government agencies that have an interest in the case and a point of view to express

24
Q

Judicial implementation

A

the translation of court decisions into actual policy that affects the behavior of others

25
Q

Boumendiene v. Bush (2008)

A

guaranteed the right of habeas corpus to the Guantanamo detainees

26
Q

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

A

ensured the right of individuals to own a gun for private use (not just for service in the militia)

27
Q

Obergefell v. Hodges, 2015

A

provided federal and state recognition for same-sex marriages

28
Q

Federations of Independent Business v. Sebelius (2012)

A

upheld the Affordable Care Act: Obamacare

29
Q

Adversarial system

A

a neutral arena in which two parties present opposing points of view before an impartial arbiter (a judge)

30
Q

justiciable dispute

A

an actual situation rather than a hypothetical one, and one that may be settled by legal methods

31
Q

Political questions

A

provides grounds to avoid settling disputes more appropriately resolved by Congress and the president, or that require knowledge of a non-legal character

32
Q

Judicial restraint

A

judges play minimal policy-making roles, leaving policy decisions to the other two branches

33
Q

judicial activism

A

judges make policy decisions and interpret the Constitution in new ways

34
Q

original intent

A

the notion that the judiciary should interpret the Constitution in accordance with the understanding of its framers.

35
Q

bench trial

A

a trial in which there is no jury and the judge decides the case compared to a jury trial.

36
Q

civil law

A

the system of law concerned with private relations between members of a community rather than criminal, military, or religious affairs.

37
Q

criminal law

A

a system of laws concerned with crimes and the punishment of individuals who commit crimes.

38
Q

legislative court

A

not constitutional courts. Judges in these special courts do not have the protection of the Constitution.