AP GOV: judicial branch vocab

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.

Stare Decisis

Courts follow previous decisions in similar cases to keep the law consistent and fair, to ensure legal rulings don’t change randomly.

Precedent

A past legal decision that serves as a rule or example for how future similar cases should be decided.

District Courts

The primary trial court within the federal court system, handling both civil and criminal cases.

Courts of Appeal

Intermediate appellate courts of the United States federal court system that review decisions of district courts.

Brief

A written legal argument presented to a court by a party to a lawsuit.

Senatorial Courtesy

A tradition where the Senate only approves a president’s nominee if the senators from that person’s home state agree.

Solicitor General

A legal officer who represents the U.S. government before the Supreme Court.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess whether a law or government action is constitutional.

Judicial Restraint

A judicial philosophy that encourages judges to limit the exercise of their own power.

Judicial Activism

A judicial philosophy that encourages judges to interpret laws and the constitution in a way that reflects contemporary values and conditions.

Judicial Constructionist

A judge who interprets the Constitution in a way that applies the intentions of its framers to modern situations.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Documents filed by individuals or groups who are not directly involved in a court case but want to offer information, expertise, or opinions to help the court make a decision

Interest Group

An organization that seeks to influence public policy.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly named in the Constitution but assumed to exist due to their being necessary to implement the expressed powers.

Cooperative Federalism

A concept of federalism where national, state, and local governments interact cooperatively and collectively to solve common problems.

class action suits

A lawsuit where a group of people with similar claims sue a defendant together.

standing to sue

The legal right to file a lawsuit, meaning the person must be directly affected by the issue.

writ of certiorari

An order from a higher court (usually the Supreme Court) to review a lower court’s case

rule of 4

A Supreme Court rule that says at least four justices must agree to hear a case for it to be reviewed