Judicial Branch

Question 1

Appellate Jurisdiction

Answer 1

Authority held by a court to hear a case that is appealed from lower court

Question 2

Civil Law

Answer 2

One relating to disputes among two or more individuals or between individuals and the government

Question 3

Concurrent Jurisdiction

Answer 3

Authority shared by both federal and state courts

Question 4

Concurring Opinion

Answer 4

The court’s opinion expressing the views of a justice (s) who agree with the majority’s conclusions but for different reasons

Question 5

Criminal Law

Answer 5

One who is caught between inflicting elements in his or her own life

Question 6

Dissenting Opinion

Answer 6

The opinion expressed by a majority of justices in a court case

Question 7

Federal Courts of Appeals

Answer 7

The intermediate appellate courts of the United States federal court system. A court of appeals decides appeals from the district courts within its federal judicial circuit, and in some instances from other designated federal courts and administrative agencies.

Question 8

Federal District Courts

Answer 8

Federal district courts are the workhorses of the federal judiciary. Just about every civil or criminal case heard in the federal courts starts at the district court level. District court judges review petitions, hear motions, hold trials, issue injunctions, and keep the wheels of justice spinning.

Question 9

Grand Jury

Answer 9

Group that hears charges against a suspect and decides whether there is sufficient evidence to bring the person to trial

Question 10

Indictment

Answer 10

A formal accusation initiating a criminal case, presented by a grand jury and usually required for felonies and other serious crimes. Any charge, accusation, serious criticism, or cause for blame.

Question 11

Judicial Review

Answer 11

the power of a court to adjudicate the constitutionality of the laws of a government or the acts of a government official.

Question 12

Jurisdiction

Answer 12

the right, power, or authority to administer justice by hearing and determining controversies.

Question 13

Majority Opinion

Answer 13

the opinion joined by a majority of the court (generally known simply as ‘the opinion’)

Question 14

Marbury vs. Madison

Answer 14

The decision in this Supreme Court Case established the right of the courts to determine the constitutionality of the actions of the other two branches of government.

Question 15

Original Jurisdiction

Answer 15

The ability and authority to decide cases based on hearing testimony and viewing evidence, rather than on appeal. The distinction separates trial courts from appellate courts. When an appellate court tries a case de novo on appeal, it is said to be exercising its original jurisdiction rather than its appellate jurisdiction. State-and-county level trial courts have original jurisdiction. The federal courts have original jurisdiction in certain matters, as Congress expressly ­provides. See federal question and diversity jurisdiction.

Question 16

Petit Jury

Answer 16

six to twelve people that have been picked to serve in court to listen to a case and to make a decision if the person being on trial is innocent or guilty.

Question 17

Precedent

Answer 17

a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases.

Question 18

Senatorial Courtesy

Answer 18

the practice in the U.S. Senate of confirming only those presidential appointees approved by both senators from the state of the appointee, or by the senior senator of the president’s party.

Question 19

The Supreme Court

Answer 19

he highest federal court in the United States, consisting of nine justices and having jurisdiction over all other courts in the nation.

Question 20

Writ of Certiorari

Answer 20

a writ issuing from a superior court calling up the record of a proceeding in an inferior court for review.