Judicial Branch Vocab Flashcards
Judicial Restraint
The view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of laws and the Constitution.
Judicial Activism
The view that judges should apply the principles and provisions of the Constitution to modern circumstances.
Constitutional Courts
Federal courts authorized by Article III of the Constitution that
keeps judges in office for life during good behavior.
District courts
The lowest federal courts that have original jurisdiction over most federal cases.
Courts of Appeals
Federal courts that hear appeals from district courts. They review each case for possible errors.
Supreme Court
The highest court in the United States, made up of nine justices.
Legislative courts
Courts created by Congress for specialized purposes, such as the U.S. Tax Court.
Litmus test
A consideration of the political ideology of a nominated judge.
Judicial Review
The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional.
Writ of certiorari
An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review.
Marbury v. Madison
Landmark Supreme Court case that established the court’s power of judicial review.
Plaintiff
The party that initiates a lawsuit.
Standing
A legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit.
Precedent
The principle set by the court in one case that will be used as the basis for deciding future cases.
Class-action suit
A case brought by an individual that will impact that person and all others similarly situated.
