Judicial Branch Flashcards
Inferior courts
The lower federal courts
Under Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
I’m he authority of a court to hear a case
Concurrent jurisdiction
Power shared by federal and state courts to hear certain cases
Plaintiff
In civil law: the party who brings a [law]suit or some other legal action against another (defendant) in court
Defendant
Civil case: the person against whom a court action is brought by the plaintiff
Criminal case: the person charged with the crime
Original jurisdiction
The power of a court to hear a case first before any other court
Appellate jurisdiction
The authority of a court to review decisions of inferior (lower) courts
Precedent
Court decisions that stands as an example to be followed in future, similar decisions
Judicial review
The power of a court to hear a case
Briefs
Written statement that spells out the party’s legal position and cites relevant fact and legal precedents
Majority opinion
The opinion on which the decisions of the court is based which identifies the issue in the case and the reasons for that decision
Criminal cases
A case in which a defender is tried for committing a crime as defined by the law
Civil case
A case involving a non criminal matter such as a contract dispute or a claim of patent infringement
Docket
Courts list of cases to be heard
Courts-martial
Courts composed of military personnel for the trial of those accused of violating military law
