Judicial Branch Flashcards
original jurisdiction
power of a court to hear a case first
record
transcript of proceedings made in the trial court
brief
a written statement filed by each party to a case before oral arguments are made
docket
list of cases to be heard by a court
inferior courts
courts below the supreme court
majority opinion
details the supreme courts ruling on a majority decision
appellate jurisdiction
power of a court to review decisions of lower courts
plaintiff
the person who starts a legal action in court
criminal case
defendant is tried for committing a federal crime action
jurisdiction
authority of a court to hear a case
judicial restraint
deciding cases on precedent and the intent of the framers
concurring opinion
make some point not made or emphasized in the major opinion
judicial activism
interpret the statutes and principles of constitution in light of times, conditions, and values
precedent
judicial decision that serves as a guide for judging other cases
dissenting opinion
written by justices who do not agree with majority decisions
court-martial
a court composed of military personnel to try those accused of violating military law
civil case
a case involving a non-criminal matter
concurrent jurisdiction
share the power to hear cases
defendant
person against whom a complaint is filed
