Pt 2: Chapter 14 Vocab

Question 1

A separate opinion written by a Supreme Court justice who cites with the majority in the decision on a case but who disagrees with their reasoning

Answer 1

Concurring opinion

Question 2

A vote of the Supreme Court in a particular case that indicates which party the justices side with and by how large a margin

Answer 2

Decision

Question 3

The opinion of a justice in a Supreme Court case that explains his or her reasons for disagreeing with the majority’s decision

Answer 3

Dissenting opinion

Question 4

The relevant circumstances of a legal dispute or offense as determined by a trial court. The facts of a case are crucial because they help determine which law or laws are applicable in the case

Answer 4

Facts (of a court case)

Question 5

The doctrine that the courts should develop new legal principles when judges see a compelling need, even if this action places run in conflict with precedent or the policy decisions of elected officials

Answer 5

Judicial activism

Question 6

The doctrine that the judiciary should broadly defer to precedent and the judgement of legislatures. It claims that the job of judges is to work within the confines of laws set down by tradition and lawmaking majorities

Answer 6

Judicial restraint

Question 7

The power of courts to decide whether a governmental instruction has acted within its constitutional powers and, if not, to declare its action null and void

Answer 7

Judicial review

Question 8

A given court’s authority to hear cases of a particular kind. Jurisdiction may be original or appellate.

Answer 8

Jurisdiction (of a court)

Question 9

A method of interpreting the Constitution that emphasizes the principles it embodies and their application to changing circumstances and needs

Answer 9

Living constitution theory

Question 10

A court opinion that results when a majority of the justices is in agreement on the legal basis of the decision

Answer 10

Majority opinion

Question 11

A court’s written explanation of its decision, which serves to inform others of the legal basis for the decision. SC opinions are expected to guide the decision of lower courts

Answer 11

Opinion (of a court)

Question 12

The authority of a given court to be the first court to hear a case

Answer 12

Original jurisdiction

Question 13

A method of interpreting the Constitution that emphasizes the meaning of its words at the time they were written

Answer 13

Originalism theory

Question 14

A court opinion that results when a majority of justices agrees on a decision in a case but do not agree on the legal basis for the decision. In this instance, the legal position held by most of the justices on the winning side is called this

Answer 14

Plurality opinion

Question 15

A judicial decision that serves as a rule for settling subsequent cases of a similar natures

Answer 15

Precedent

Question 16

Permission granted by a higher court to allow a losing party in a legal case to bring the case before it for ruling. When it is requested of the US Supreme Court, four of the 9 justices must agree to accept the case before it is this

Answer 16

Writ of certiorari

Question 17

The authority of a given court to review cases that have already been tried in lower courts and are appealed to it by the losing party

Answer 17

Appellate jurisdiction