The Courts Flashcards
three levels of courts
- district courts: hold trials
- courts of appeals: hear appeals
- Supreme Court: mainly an appellate court
Judiciary Act of 1789
established the federal court system
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
-established the supre court was the “protector” of the constitution
-established the constitution’s supremacy
judicial review
the power to declare government acts as unconstitutional and therefore invalid
What article established the Court’s authority over state gvmnt
Article VI
Role of the U.S. District Courts
-deal with criminal and civil cases and try to come to a conclusion
-if they can’t it can be appealed and try to get up the chain of courts
Role of U.S. Courts of Appeals
-middle level of U.S. court system
- deal with cases that had been appealed in the District Courts
A ruling that serves as the basis for future rulings;
decided by districs and appeals courts
Precedent
Stare Decisis
“Let the ruling stand”
Main job of the Supreme Court
Find a balance between the values of: Order, Freedom, and Equality
How many justices serve on the Supreme Court?
9
How many cases does the supreme court hear, and in how much time?
75-100 beteewn October and April
Judges should rule as close as possible to the precedent and not insert their own biases
Judicial Restraint
a more loose interpretation of existing precedents, and judges can inject their own beliefs
Judicial Activism
Who is the 4th highest ranking official in the Department of Justices?
Solicitor General
