US Supreme Court & Judicial Process: Key Cases and Principles

Supreme Court

Highest court in the United States that interprets the Constitution and has final authority on constitutional questions.

Article III

Section of the Constitution that establishes the judicial branch and the Supreme Court.

Judicial Branch

Branch of government responsible for interpreting laws and resolving legal disputes.

Chief Justice

Leader of the Supreme Court and highest-ranking federal judge.

Associate Justice

One of the eight other justices serving on the Supreme Court.

Judicial Review

Power of the Supreme Court to declare laws or government actions unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Supreme Court case that established judicial review.

Constitution

Highest law of the United States that establishes the structure and powers of government.

Precedent

A previous court decision used as a guide in future cases.

Stare Decisis

Legal principle meaning "let the decision stand"; courts generally follow precedent.

Rule of Four

At least four Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case.

Writ of Certiorari

Request asking the Supreme Court to hear a case.

Appeal

Request for a higher court to review a lower court's decision.

Oral Arguments

Presentations made by lawyers before Supreme Court justices.

Majority Opinion

Official Supreme Court decision supported by more than half the justices.

Concurring Opinion

Opinion agreeing with the majority's decision but for different reasons.

Dissenting Opinion

Opinion disagreeing with the majority's decision.

Due Process

Constitutional guarantee that government must act fairly before depriving a person of life, liberty, or property.

5th Amendment

Protects due process rights from actions of the federal government.

14th Amendment

Protects due process and equal protection rights from actions of state governments.

Procedural Due Process

Requirement that government follow fair procedures when enforcing laws.

Substantive Due Process

Principle that government cannot pass laws that unfairly violate fundamental rights.

Life

One of the rights protected by due process.

Liberty

One of the rights protected by due process; includes personal freedoms.

Property

One of the rights protected by due process; includes possessions and ownership rights.

Exclusionary Rule

Evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Search and Seizure

Government examination of people or property and confiscation of evidence.

Unreasonable Search

Search conducted without proper legal justification.

Evidence

Information used in court to prove facts.

Probable Cause

Reasonable belief that a crime has occurred or evidence exists.

Search Warrant

Court order allowing police to conduct a search.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Supreme Court case that applied the exclusionary rule to state courts.

Dollree Mapp

Woman involved in Mapp v. Ohio.

Miranda Rights

Rights read to suspects before custodial interrogation.

Miranda Warning

Statement informing suspects of their constitutional rights.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Supreme Court case requiring police to inform suspects of their rights.

Ernesto Miranda

Defendant involved in Miranda v. Arizona.

Custody

Situation in which a person is not free to leave police control.

Interrogation

Questioning conducted by law enforcement.

Self-Incrimination

Providing evidence against oneself.

Fifth Amendment Protection Against Self-Incrimination

Right not to be forced to testify against oneself.

Right to Remain Silent

Protection allowing suspects not to answer police questions.

Right to an Attorney

Constitutional right to legal representation.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees rights of accused persons, including the right to counsel.

Counsel

Legal representation provided by an attorney.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Supreme Court case guaranteeing attorneys for defendants who cannot afford them.

Clarence Gideon

Defendant involved in Gideon v. Wainwright.

Right to Counsel

Constitutional right to a lawyer in criminal cases.

Indigent Defendant

Defendant who cannot afford a lawyer.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual freedoms.

First Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Freedom of Speech

Right to express opinions without government interference.

Freedom of Religion

Right to practice any religion or no religion.

Freedom of the Press

Right of media to publish information and opinions.

Freedom of Assembly

Right to gather peacefully.

Freedom to Petition

Right to ask government to address grievances.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Supreme Court case protecting student free speech unless it causes substantial disruption.

Symbolic Speech

Nonverbal expression intended to communicate a message.

Black Armbands

Symbolic protest worn by students in Tinker v. Des Moines.

Vietnam War

Conflict protested by students in Tinker v. Des Moines.

Substantial Disruption

Level of interference that allows schools to restrict student speech.

Student Rights

Constitutional protections retained by students while in school.

Bethel v. Fraser (1986)

Supreme Court case allowing schools to punish vulgar student speech.

Vulgar Speech

Offensive, lewd, or inappropriate language.

Lewd Speech

Speech containing sexual or offensive content.

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

Supreme Court case allowing schools to censor school-sponsored publications.

School-Sponsored Speech

Speech appearing in activities supervised by the school.

School Newspaper

Publications produced as part of a school program.

Censorship

Suppression or restriction of information or expression.

New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985)

Supreme Court case allowing school searches based on reasonable suspicion.

T.L.O.

Student involved in the Supreme Court case concerning school searches.

Reasonable Suspicion

Specific facts suggesting a rule or law may have been violated.

School Search

Inspection of student property by school officials.

Morse v. Frederick (2007)

Supreme Court case allowing schools to restrict speech promoting illegal drug use.

Bong Hits 4 Jesus

Banner displayed in Morse v. Frederick.

Drug-Related Speech

Speech promoting illegal drug use.

Student Speech

Expression protected by the First Amendment, subject to school limitations.

Tinker Rule

Student speech is protected unless it substantially disrupts education.

Fraser Rule

Schools may punish vulgar or lewd speech.

Hazelwood Rule

Schools may regulate school-sponsored speech.

T.L.O. Rule

Schools only need reasonable suspicion to conduct searches.

Morse Rule

Schools may restrict speech encouraging illegal drug use.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment requiring equal treatment under the law.

Citizenship Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment granting citizenship to people born in the United States.

Incorporation Doctrine

Process through which the Bill of Rights is applied to the states through the 14th Amendment.

Criminal Defendant

Person accused of committing a crime.

Civil Liberties

Individual freedoms protected from government interference.

Civil Rights

Protections against discrimination and unequal treatment.

Rights of the Accused

Constitutional protections for individuals charged with crimes.

Trial Court

Court where cases begin and evidence is presented.

Appellate Court

Court that reviews decisions made by lower courts.

Judicial Conference

Private meeting where Supreme Court justices discuss and vote on cases.

Constitutional Law

Law dealing with interpretation of the Constitution.

Case Law

Law established through court decisions and precedents.

Civil Rights Movement

Movement seeking equal rights, equal protection, and an end to discrimination against African Americans.

Civil Rights

Rights guaranteeing equal treatment under the law regardless of race, religion, gender, or other characteristics.

Civil Liberties

Freedoms protected from government interference, such as freedom of speech and religion.

Civil War

War fought between the Union and Confederacy from 1861-1865 primarily over slavery and states' rights.

Union

Northern states that fought to preserve the United States during the Civil War.