vocabulary Flashcards
Inferior courts
The lower federal courts, those beneath the supreme court.
Jurisdication
The authority of a court to hear a case.
Exclusive jurisdication
Power of the federal courts alone to hear certain cases.
concurrent jurisdication
Those powers that both the National Government and the states possess and exercise.
Plaintiff
In civil law , the party who brings a suite or some other legal action against another in court.
Defendant
In a civil suit, the person against whom a court action is brought by the plantiff; in a criminal case, the person charged with the crime.
Criminal case
A case in wich a defendant is tried for comitting a crime in which a defendant by the law.
Civil case
A case involving a noncriminal matter such as a contract dispute or a claim of patent infringement.
Docket
A court’s list of cases to be heard.
Write of certiorari
An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up the record in a given case for review.
Certificate
A method of putting a case before the supreme court.
Majority opinion
Officially called the opinion of the court.
Precedent
Court decision that stands as an example to be followed in future, similar cases.
Concurring opinion
Written explanation of the views of one or more judges who support a decision reached by a majority of the court.
Dissenting opinion
Written explanation of the views of one or more judges who disagree with a decision reached by a majority of the court.
