Chapter 2: The structure of American Courts

Question 1

Jurisdiction

Answer 1

the legal authority and the power of the court to determine types of case

Question 2

Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Answer 2

A type of case a court has authority to hear

Question 3

Geographic Jurisdiction

Answer 3

political boundaries where the incident occured

Question 4

Hierarchical Jurisdiction

Answer 4

the difference between trial & appellate courts

Question 5

Limited Jurisdiction

Answer 5

court is restricted to misdemeanor and preliminary hearings

Question 6

General Jurisdiction

Answer 6

power of a court to hear a wide range of cases

Question 7

trial courts

Answer 7

establishes guilt or innocence of defendant in court

Question 8

appellate courts

Answer 8

determines whether the law was applied correctly

Question 9

judiciary act of 1789

Answer 9

congressional act that established 3 levels of courts: 13 federal district courts, 3 higher level circuit, and supreme court

Question 10

federal district court

Answer 10

basic trial court for federal government that has extensive jurisdiction for all criminal cases

Question 11

circuit courts

Answer 11

courts with several counties/ districts within their jurisdiction

Question 12

supreme court

Answer 12

last resort of the federal court

Question 13

dual court system

Answer 13

federal courts can hear cases defined by the federal constitution

Question 14

concurrent jurisdiction

Answer 14

some cases may be heard for either state or federal court

Question 15

U.S. Magistrates Judges

Answer 15

judge who fulfill the pre-tria judicial obligation of federal courts

Question 16

U.S. District Courts

Answer 16

the basic trial court for federal civil and criminal courts

Question 17

Evarts Act

Answer 17

act created circuit courts of appeal to hear appeals from U.S. district court

Question 18

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal

Answer 18

13 circuit courts of appeals zone throughout U.S.

Question 19

Original Jurisdiction

Answer 19

first authority over case/cause

Question 19

U.S. Supreme Court

Answer 19

court of last resort in U.S. federal level

Question 20

Exclusive Jurisdiction

Answer 20

specific jurisdiction over particular kinds of cases

Question 21

judicial review

Answer 21

establish supreme court the ability to review and determine congress and exec ran acts as constitutional

Question 22

courts of records

Answer 22

any legal proceeding where a written record is kept

Question 23

general trial courts

Answer 23

any one of several types of courts with diverse jurisdiction to conduct jury trials and decide cases

Question 24

court of last resort

Answer 24

either state or federal court that functions as final stage

Question 25

Rule of Four

Answer 25

at least 4 justices must decide that case must be heard

Question 26

Writ of Certiorari

Answer 26

request of the court to obtain the record for review

Question 27

Amicus Curiae

Answer 27

“friend of the court” briefs written to the court on behalf of one party

Question 27

En Banc

Answer 27

each case is heard by all 9 justices