Checkup 2 - Definitions and Terms

Question 1

practice of following precedents established in previous court cases

Answer 1

stare decisis

Question 2

highest civil government or authority

Answer 2

state

Question 3

minor criminal offense

Answer 3

misdemeanor

Question 4

serious criminal offense

Answer 4

felony

Question 5

statutory law dealing with offenses against society

Answer 5

criminal law

Question 6

private law regulating relationships between private citizens or organizations

Answer 6

civil law

Question 7

hears cases for the first time

Answer 7

court of first instance

Question 8

hears appeals of lower court decisions

Answer 8

appellate court

Question 9

limiting of certain cases to federal court jurisdiction

Answer 9

exclusive jurisdiction

Question 10

sharing of jurisdiction between state and federal courts

Answer 10

concurrent jurisdiction

Question 11

any court order directing a person to do or not do some act

Answer 11

writ

Question 12

Supreme Court order requesting records from a lower court

Answer 12

writ of certiorari

Question 13

suits between parties from different states involving more than $75,000

Answer 13

diversity cases

Question 14

“with all judges present”

Answer 14

en banc

Question 15

agrees with the conclusion, but not necessarily the reasoning, of the majority

Answer 15

concurring opinion

Question 16

disagrees with the majority opinion

Answer 16

dissenting opinion

Question 17

statement of opinion going beyond the conclusions necessary to support the decision

Answer 17

obiter dictum