The Judicial Branch Flashcards

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1
Q

Appellate Jurisdiction

A

authority of a court to hear an appeal from a lower court

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2
Q

Civil Law

A

concerns noncriminal disputes between private parties.

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3
Q

Class Action Lawsuit

A

lawsuit brought on behalf of a class of people against a defendant, e.g., lawsuits brought by those who have suffered from smoking against tobacco companies.

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4
Q

Concurring Opinion

A

written by a Supreme Court Justice who voted with the majority, but for different reasons.

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5
Q

Dissenting Opinion

A

written by a Supreme Court Justice (or Justices) who express a minority viewpoint in a case.

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6
Q

Judicial Activism

A

philosophy that the courts should take an active role in solving problems.

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7
Q

Judicial Restraint

A

philosophy that the courts should defer to elected lawmakers in setting policy, and should instead focus on interpreting law rather than making law.

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8
Q

Judicial Review

A

power of the courts to review the constitutionality of laws or government actions.

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9
Q

Majority Opinion

A

written to express the majority viewpoint in a Supreme Court case.

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10
Q

Orignal Jurisdiction

A

authority of a court to first hear a case.

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11
Q

Rule of Four

A

the Supreme Court will hear a case if four Justices agree to do so.

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12
Q

Stare decisis

A

Latin for “let the decision stand.” Supreme Court policy of following precedent in deciding cases.

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13
Q

Writ of certiorari

A

issued by the Supreme Court to a lower court to send up the records of a case so that it can be reviewed by the high court.

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14
Q

Writ of habeas corpus

A

court order that the authorities show cause for why they are holding a prisoner in custody. Deters unlawful imprisonment.

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15
Q

Writ of mandamus

A

court order directing a party to perform a certain action.

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