z: ch 16 final Flashcards
criminal law
the government charged an individual with violating one (or more) specific law—> ex: burglary (felonies, misdemeanors etc.)
civil law
the court resolved a dispute between 2 parties and defines the relationship between them ex: divorce
3 levels of the federal judicial system
federal> state> local
OR
supreme court> court of appeals(12)> district courts(94)
supreme court cases
study all and the bill of rights
supreme court justices
9 current. 8 associate and 1 chief justice. congress can change this. FDR asked congress to allow him to add more justices but his bill did not pass
SC accepting cases
they decide themselves—> rule of 4: 4/9 justices must agree to hear a cases to be heard. most cases are appealed up from lower courts
SC constitutionality
interprets the meaning of the constitution for each case
making decisions
briefs are submitted—> oral arguments from attorneys for 1/2 an hour—> justices discuss and vote (majority wins)—> opinion writing—> decision announced.
district courts
(94) trials for federal crimes. hear federal crimes and civil suits under federal laws and across state lines
appellate/circuit courts
reviews the legal issues in cases brought from lower federal courts. (12 appellate and circuit) made of panel of judges and mainly focuses on errors of procedure and law
-Colorado is in the 10th circuit court
marbury v. madison
william marbury was elected by president Adams (before president Jefferson came in) to be a justice. he and other soon to be justices sent it their commissions but president Jefferson told madison to withhold their commissions to prevent them from becoming justices
judicial review
the power of the courts to determine whether acts of congress and the executive branch are in accordance with the constitution est in Marbury v. Madison
original jurisdiction
where the case is heard 1st, usually in trial.
appellate jurisdiction
cases brought on appeal from a lower court (most cases to the Supreme court are like this)
