Vocabulary Flashcards
Court of appeals
Federal courts that review cases to see if the trial court made a mistake
District courts
Federal courts that conduct trials of cases that have not been previously heard
Supreme Court
Highest court in the U.S. that was established by the constitution
Judicial review
The power of the Supreme Court to decide what the constitution really says
Rule of four
States that a case will be reviewed only if four judges agree to hear it
Opinion
A written statement explaining the courts decision
Majority opinion
Written statement explaining how the majority voted
Concurring opinion
Written statement prepared by a justice who voted with the minority
Dissenting opinion
Written statement prepared by a justice who voted with the minority to explain their position on the case
Evidence
Objects used to proved a decision
Criminal case
A case involving someone who was convicted of a crime
Civil case
A case involving the right of a citizen
Jury trial
A trial in which a group of Citizens listen to the evidence and decide the case
Bench trial
A trial where only the judges hear and decide the case
Amicus Curial
A party not involved in the case is allowed to submit s paper explaining their position on the case
Brief
A document written to submit a legal argument
Verdict
The final decision
Appeal
Asking a higher court to review a case to see if the decision Is correct
Affirm
When no mistakes made is confirmed
Reverse
When the verdict changes
Remand
When a case is sent back to the district court
Jurisdiction
An area of power or authority in the judicial branch
Concurrent jurisdiction
When a case involves and authority involved in two courts
Exclusive jurisdiction
When only one court has the authority to rule on a specific case
Judicial activism
The manner in which a judge applies a law
Judicial restraint
The manner in which a judge applies the law
