Judicial Branch Flashcards
Class Action Suits
A joint lawsuit where many people are suing for a similar circumstance
Amicus Curiae Briefs
Legal briefs intended to influence court decisions by providing additional information
Original Jurisdiction
The court that hears a case for the first time, determining the facts of a case
Appellate Jurisdiction
The court that hears cases brought from the original jurisdiction/lower courts
District Courts
The 91 federal original jurisdiction courts that hear trials
Court of Appeals
Courts with appellate jurisdiction that review decisions from district courts
Supreme Court
The highest federal court, ensuring constitutionality of national laws and disputes
Senatorial Courtesy
An unwritten rule/informal power where Supreme Court appointments aren’t confirmed if the Senate of the President’s party is in opposition
Solicitor General
The role that supervises Supreme Court litigation
Opinion
The term for the Supreme Court’s official decision on a case
Stare Decisis
The principle of honoring a previous decision on a prior case in an undecided case.
Precedent
A court decision that acts as a rule for future cases and decisions of lower courts.
Originalism
A view that the constitution is a guiding force, to decide a case based on Constitutionality rather than personal views
Judicial Implentation
The execution of court precedents by the executive & legislative branch, as well as lower courts.
Marbury V. Madison
The historic court case that established the principle of Judicial Review
