Judicial Branch/Supreme Court Test Flashcards
Article lll
created a Judicial Branch
Dual Court System: Federal and State Courts
Supreme Courts & Inferior Courts
Rule of Four
granting a petition for review only if there are at least 4 votes
Supreme Court
decisions are final and cannot be appealed
Supreme Court Briefs
written documents which attorneys in case can present their legal arguments to the court
Majority Opinion
desicision or ruling of the court supported by a majority of the Justices
Concurring Opinion
Written by justices who agrees with the majority decision, but of different or additional reasons
Dissenting Opinion
Justices disagree with the majority decision and why they disagree
Precedent
a principle or rule established in a previous legal case relevant to a court
Original Jurisdiction
A court where the case must be heard first
Appellate Jurisdiction
A court that hears an appeal of a case decided on by a lower court
Exclusive Jurisdiction
A court has sole authority to hear a case
Concurrent Jurisdiction
Two or more courts (Federal or state) have the authority to hear a case
Grand Jury
23 people selected to examine the trial
Petit Jury
Jury of 12 people
Plaintiff
The person who takes the case to court
Defendant
the person who the case is against
Criminal Case
cases where the defendant is charged with a Federal crime
District Attorney
known as prosecutors, represent the gov. in criminal cases, and are responsible for ensuring justice.
Civil Case
non-criminal cases that involve a dispute between two parties like trademark infringement
Marbury v. Madison
Supreme Court declared Congress unconstitutional, establishing judicial review
Judicial Review
ability to declare laws or executive actions as unconstitutional
Writ of Certiorari
Justices decided which cases they will hear by the rule of 4
Writ of Mandamus
legal orders compelling government officials to act under the law
