judicial branch vocab

Question 1

judicial restraint

Answer 1

the view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of language of laws and the Constitution

Question 2

judicial activisim

Answer 2

the view that judges should apply the principles and provisions of the Constitution to modern circumstances

Question 3

Constitutional courts

Answer 3

federal courts authorized by article 111 of the constitution that keeps judges in office for lie during good behavior

Question 4

district courts

Answer 4

the lowest federal courts that have original jurisdiction over most federal cases

Question 5

court of appeals

Answer 5

federal courts that hear appeals from district courts. Review each case for possible errors

Question 6

supreme court

Answer 6

the highest court in the U.S, made of nine justices

Question 7

legislative courts

Answer 7

courts created by Congress for specialized purposes, such as the U.S tax court

Question 8

Litmus test

Answer 8

a consideration of the political ideology of a nominated judge

Question 9

judicial review

Answer 9

power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Question 10

write of certiorari

Answer 10

an order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review

Question 11

Marbury v madison

Answer 11

landmark supreme court case that established the court’s power of judicial review

Question 12

plaintiff

Answer 12

party that initiates a lawsuit

Question 13

standing

Answer 13

legal rule stating who is authorized to start a new lawsuit

Question 14

precedent

Answer 14

principle set by the court in one case that will be used as a the basis for deciding future cases

Question 15

class-action suit

Answer 15

case brought by an individual that will impact that person and all others similarly situated

Question 16

original jurisdiction

Answer 16

the authority of a court to hear a case first

Question 17

appellate jurisdiction

Answer 17

authority of a court to hear a case brought to them on appeal from a lower court

Question 18

brief

Answer 18

a written statement by an attorney that summarizes a case and the law and rulings that support it

Question 19

amicus curiae brief-

Answer 19

brief submitted by a “friend of the court” to provide the court with additional information on a case

Question 20

opinion of the court/ majority opinion

Answer 20

the judicial opinion agreed upon by more than half of the members of the court that explains the reasoning of the courts decision

Question 21

concurring opinion

Answer 21

a signed opinion in which one or more members agree with the majority view, but for different reasons

Question 22

dissenting opinion

Answer 22

a signed opinion that features the perspective of those justices who disagreed with the majority opinion

Question 23

stare decisis-

Answer 23

“let the decision stand” or allowing prior rulings to determine the court’s stand on a current case

Question 24

senatorial courtesy-

Answer 24

unwritten custom that the senate will not approve a judicial nomination if opposed by a senator from the state in which the nominee is to serve

Question 25

rule of four

Answer 25

in order for a case to be granted certiorari, four justices must agree that the case is worthy to be heard

Question 26

amendment

Answer 26

a new addition to the Constitution that has been proposed by Congress and ratified by the states