Federal Courts - chapter 9 Flashcards
criminal law
cases arising out of actions that allegedly violating the health, safety, morals and welfare of the community
civil law
disputes among individuals or between the government and individuals that do not involve criminal penalties
public law
cases involving the powers of the government or rights of the citizens- includes constitutional and administrative law
trial court
first to hear a criminal or civil case
court of appeals
court that hears the appeals of lower-court decisions
Supreme Court
highest court in state or country- final decisions are made
original jurisdiction
federal courts- involves the federal laws, treaties or the Constitution
appellate jurisdiction
Supreme Court- appealed from the lower court and has the ability to create lower-courts
chief justice
presides over the Court’s public sessions/conferences- speaks first and votes last
senatorial courtesy
before nominating a judge, the president finds put if the candidates home-state senator supports the nomination
judicial review
power of courts to determine whether actions of the president, congress, and state legislators are consistent with the Constitution
writ of cert
formal request by the appellate to have the Supreme Court review the decision made by the lower-court
common law
judges develop a body of rules/principals of interpretation that are not grounded in specific statutes
solicitor general
officer in the Justice Department - screens out how many cases in which the federal government is a party
briefs
written documents in which an attorney explains why the court should rule in their favor
