Juridicial Branch Flashcards
(24 cards)
What type of court system does the U.S. have?
Dual court system: Federal and State courts
Most court cases take place in the State courts.
What is the main job of the judicial branch?
To interpret the law
What types of cases go to the Federal court system?
- Issues about the U.S. Constitution
- Violations of Federal Law
- Disputes between two or more states
- Citizens from different states involved in a dispute
What does it mean to appeal a verdict?
To challenge a verdict and ask a higher court to review a lower court’s ruling
What does jurisdiction mean?
To have legal authority over a case or a type of law
What is original jurisdiction?
The authority to hear a case for the first time
What article of the U.S. Constitution created the Supreme Court?
Article III
How many justices are on the U.S. Supreme Court?
9 justices
Who appoints Supreme Court justices?
The President, with confirmation by the Senate
What is the title of the head of the Supreme Court?
Chief Justice
Who is the current Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court?
John Roberts
How long do U.S. Supreme Court justices serve?
For life or until they retire
What types of cases does the U.S. Supreme Court hear?
- Cases about the U.S. Constitution
- Disputes between states
What is unique about U.S. Supreme Court decisions?
They are final and can only be reversed by another Supreme Court decision or a new Constitutional Amendment
What are precedents in the context of the Supreme Court?
Supreme Court decisions that become the law and set examples for other courts
What are the three types of opinions the Supreme Court can issue?
- Majority opinion
- Dissenting opinion
- Concurrent opinion
What is judicial review?
The power of the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on Constitutional law
What landmark case established the power of judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison
Why do U.S. Supreme Court justices serve for life?
To protect them from political pressures and public opinion
What are appellate courts also known as?
Appeals courts
How many federal appellate courts are there?
13
What does an appeals court do?
Reviews District court decisions to check for mistakes in applying the law
What options do appeals courts have regarding District Court verdicts?
- Uphold the District Court verdict
- Reverse it
- Order a new trial (remand)
How are appeals court judges chosen?
Via the same method as Supreme Court Justices
