Judicial branch flash cards

Question 1

appellate jurisdiction

Answer 1

when, upon appeal, a higher court reviews a claim tried by a lower court

Question 2

diversity of citizenship

Answer 2

the rule that litigants before the federal court must reside in different states

Question 3

doctrines limiting judicial review

Answer 3

1) standing: the plaintiff bringing suit has to show actual injury; (2) mootness: the issue must not have been decided already; and (3) ripeness: the claim must be ready to be decided

Question 4

federal question

Answer 4

when a federal court has the authority to hear a particular civil case brought by a plaintiff alleging a violation of the Constitution, a US law, or a treaty to which the US is party

Question 5

general jurisdiction

Answer 5

when a court has the power to hear all kinds of cases from civil to criminal

Question 6

judicial review

Answer 6

the power of the judicial branch to review the actions of the legislative and executive branches

Question 7

jurisdiction

Answer 7

authority or power to adjudicate a particular legal claim by interpreting laws applicable to that claim

Question 8

limited jurisdiction

Answer 8

when a court has authority over a narrow issue and can only adjudicate claims regarding that particular issue

Question 9

original jurisdiction

Answer 9

the power of a court to adjudicate a case initially or at “first instance”

Question 10

writ of certiorari

Answer 10

a writ is an order from a higher court to a lower court to forward all documents related to the case being appealed for review