Judicial Power Flashcards
What limits the jurisdiction of Federal Courts?
Article III, section 2 of the U.S. Const. - Limited to Law Based Jurisdiction and Party Based Jurisdiction
What is the scope of Article III section 2 ?
Fed. Cts have power over Cases or contro.
(1) Arising under const. laws (fed. st.)
(2) Admiralty & maritime juris.
(3) Where US is P,
(4) b/w 2 or more states
What are the 5 party based sources of federal court jurisdiction?
The fed. courts have jurisdiction over any cases involving:
- The united states as a party
- State v state
- State v. non-citizens
- Citizens of Dif. States & 75K AIC (Diversity)
- Foreign Diplomats
What limitations does the 11th Amendment place on Judicial Power?
Private Individuals can’t sue the States for money damages in federal court
- doesn’t include local gov’t
What steps should you take in examining a claim’s case and controversy requirements?
If the claim fails any of the req., the claim will not be heard
- Is the case ripe?
- Will the court invoke abstention?
- Is the controv. moot?
- Does the claim involve a non-judiciable pol. quest. ?
- Does the party bringing the claim have standing ?
What are the elements required for a party to have standing to bring suit?
- Injury in fact
- Causation
- Redressability
Standing - Injury in fact
∏ must allege and prove actual harm or imm. injury
- Pers. suffered an individualized harm (no 3d P harm)
- Econ. harm is best injury for standing (Monetary Damages)
- For injunctive or declaratory relief must show Likelihood of Future Harm that will be personally suffered
Standing - Causation
∏ must allege & prove ▵’s conduct caused the injury
- “cause in fact” of ∏ injury
Standing - Redressability
Litigation of the claim must remedy or benefit the claimand
What are the steps for analyzing if a third party has standing?
Presenting case of others not ok unless:
- indep. meets other standing req, AND:
- Close Relationship b/w P & 3d party or
- P’s injury adversely affects the P’s relationship w/ 3rd party
When does an organization have Standing?
Org. may sue on behalf of its members if:
(1) Indiv. members have standing to sue in his own right
(2) Interests at stake germane to organization’s purpose
Cases & Contro. Requirements - Advisory Opinions
No advisory Opinions - Fed. ct. can’t issue opinion on abstract or hypo. questions
- MUST be a real & immediate present or future danger
Declaratory Judgments OK - decision by ct. on what legal effect of proposed course of conduct by 1 or both parties would be
- Specific concrete controv. must still exist
When is a lawsuit ripe?
Fed ct. doesn’t have power to hear a suit that’s not ripe for adjudication
- Plaintiff must have an actual injury
- suit must have present case or contro.
- ct. can’t review statute or regulation until its enforced
Why will a federal court refuse to hear the case if a suit is not ripe?
Fed. Court won’t hear a non-ripe case because:
- Fed. Ct. doesn’t issue advisory opinions
When does a legal dispute become moot ?
A suit is moot when it is too late for a court to give remedy to avoid or fix the harm
- There must be a live controv. at all stages of review.
- If injury ends after the suit is filed, it will be dismissed as moot
What is the exception to a case being moot?
- If the injury is Capable of repetition yet evading review
- When injury that occurs is of very short duration (Election laws, roe v. wade)
- Case wont be moot if the injury has the ability to happen over and over again
- D vol. ceases its illegal/wrongful action upon commencement of litigation
- Named plaintiff’s claim in class action suit is resolved