Key Terms 8

Question 1

Adversary System

Answer 1

A legal system in which the prosecution and defense are opponents, or adversaries, and present their cases in the light most favorable to themselves

Question 2

Appellate Courts

Answer 2

Courts that review decisions made by lower courts, such as trial courts (AKA Courts of Appeals)

Question 3

Concurrent Jurisdiction

Answer 3

The situation that occurs when two or more courts have the authority to preside over the same criminal case

Question 4

Concurring Opinions

Answer 4

Separate opinions prepared by judges who support the decision of the majority of the court but who want to make or clarify a particular point or to voice disapproval of the grounds on which the decision was made

Question 5

Courtroom Work Group

Answer 5

The social organization consisting of the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, and other court workers

Question 6

Dissenting Opinions

Answer 6

Separate opinions in which judges disagree with the conclusion reached by the majority of the court and expand on their own views about the case

Question 7

Docket

Answer 7

The list of cases entered on a court’s calendar and thus scheduled to be heard by the court

Question 8

Dual Court System

Answer 8

The separate but interrelated court system of the United States, made up of the courts on the national level and the courts on a state level

Question 9

Extradition

Answer 9

The process by which one jurisdiction surrenders a person accused or convicted of violating another jurisdiction’s criminal law to the second jurisdiction

Question 10

Impeachment

Answer 10

The formal process by which a public official is charged with misconduct that could lead to his or her removal from office

Question 11

Judicial Misconduct

Answer 11

A general term describing behavior - such as accepting bribes or consorting with known felons - that diminishes public confidence in the judiciary

Question 12

Judicial Review

Answer 12

The power of a court - particularly the United States Supreme Court - to review the actions of the executive and legislative branches and, if necessary, declare those actions unconstitutional

Question 13

Jurisdiction

Answer 13

The authority of a court to hear and decide cases within an area of the law or a geographic territory

Question 14

Magistrate

Answer 14

A public civil officer or official with limited judicial authority within a particular geographic area, such as the authority to issue an arrest warrant

Question 15

Missouri Plan

Answer 15

A method of selecting judges that combines appointment and election

Question 16

Nonpartisan Elections

Answer 16

Elections in which candidates are presented on the ballot without any party affiliation

Question 17

Opinions

Answer 17

Written statements by appellate judges expressing the reason for the court’s decision in a case

Question 18

Oral Arguments

Answer 18

The verbal argument presented in person by attorneys to an appellate court. Each attorney presents reasons why the court should rule in his or her client’s favor

Question 19

Partisan Elections

Answer 19

Elections in which candidates are affiliated with and receive support from political parties

Question 20

Problem-Solving Courts

Answer 20

Lower courts that have jurisdiction over one specific area of criminal activity, such as illegal drugs or domestic violence

Question 21

Rule of Four

Answer 21

A rule of the United States Supreme Court that the Court will not issue a writ of certiorari unless at least four justices approve of the decision to hear the case

Question 22

Trial Courts

Answer 22

Courts in which most cases usually begin and in which questions of fact are examined

Question 23

Writ of Certiorary

Answer 23

A request from a higher court asking a lower court for the record of a case. In essence, the request signals the higher court’s willingness to review the case