judicial branch practice for quiz

Judicial activism

Judges take a more active role in interpreting the Constitution.

Precedent

An earlier court decision used as a guide for future cases.

Impartial

Fair and unbiased.

Plea bargain

An agreement to plead guilty for a lighter punishment or reduced charge.

Writ of certiorari

An order for the Supreme Court to review a case.

Judicial restraint

Judges limit their power and usually respect lawmakers' decisions.

Litigants

People or parties involved in a lawsuit.

Marbury v. Madison

The 1803 case that established judicial review.

Judicial review

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Original jurisdiction

The power to hear a case first.

Appellate jurisdiction

The power to review a lower court's decision.

Criminal trial punishments

Prison

Who goes first in a criminal trial?

The prosecution.

Criminal trial verdicts

Guilty or not guilty.

Highest court in the United States

The Supreme Court.

Number of Supreme Court justices

Nine.

Who decides the number of Supreme Court justices?

Congress.

Where do most Supreme Court cases come from?

Lower federal and state courts.

Current Chief Justice

John Roberts.

Supreme Court confirmations

The President nominates justices and the Senate confirms them.

Majority opinion

The Court's main decision supported by a majority of participating justices.

Concurring opinion

A justice agrees with the decision but has different reasoning.

Dissenting opinion

A justice disagrees with the Court's decision.

Court packing

Changing the number of Supreme Court justices to influence the Court.

Argument for court packing

It could change the Court's balance.

Argument against court packing

It could make the Court more political.

Indictment

A formal accusation of a crime.

Due process of law

The government must follow fair legal procedures.

Swing vote

A vote that can decide a close case.

The Preamble

The introduction to the Constitution explaining its goals.

Six goals of the Preamble

Union

Federal courts

Courts that handle federal laws and constitutional issues.