AP Gov 2.8-2.11

Appellate Jurisdiction

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

Attorney General

The head of the Department of Justice

Ceritoriari

Appellants must offer some violation of established law, procedure, or precedent that led to the incorrect verdict in a trial court

Federalist 78

Alexander Hamilton claims Judicial is the least dangerous branch, discusses lifetime tenure, etc...

Judicial Review

Allows the Supreme court to determine the constitutionality of laws and actions, introduced by John Marshall in Marbury v. Madison

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case that established Judicial Review, found that Madison's acts were illegal, but did not order a Writ of Mandamus

Original Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case.

U.S. District Courts

Courts within the lowest tier of the three-tiered federal court system; courts where litigation begins.

U.S. Circuits Courts of Appeals

the courts where parties who are dissatisfied with the judgment of a U.S. District Court may take their case through appeal

U.S. Supreme Court

the highest court of the United States; it sits at the top of the federal court system, determines constitutionality of laws

Binding Precedent

The decisions of higher courts that set the legal standards for similar cases in lower courts within the same jurisdiction.

Persuasive Precedent

A precedent that a court does not have to follow but can be very influential when determining a case

Precedent

an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.

John Robert

Current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Stare Decisis

Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases

Concurring Opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority in a Supreme Court ruling but differs on the reasoning.

Dissenting Opinion

A statement written by a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion, presenting his or her opinion

Liberal Constructionist

Someone who argues a broad interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution, particularly those granting powers to the Federal Government

Majority Opinion

A statement that presents the views of the majority of supreme court justices regarding a case

Petition for Certiorari

A petition asking the Supreme Court to hear a case

Rule of Four

At least four justices of the Supreme Court must vote to consider a case before it can be heard

Strict Constructionist

A person who interprets the Constitution in a way that allows the federal government to take only those actions the Constitution specifically says it can take

Robert Bork

Reagan appointee for judge, rejected due to extreme restraint views,his role in the media, his interest group involvement and his famous 'Paper Trail'

Merrick Garland

President Obama has nominated this federal Judge to replace Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, setting up a showdown with Senate Republicans, who have vowed to block any nomination Obama makes.

Judicial Activism

A judicial viewpoint that believes they can overturn precedent and are allowed to act along with modern beliefs

Judicial Restraint

A judicial viewpoint that believes they should not overturn precedent, and they are restrained by precedent

Nuclear Option

a maneuver exercised by the presiding officer in the Senate that eliminates the possibility of filibusters by subjecting votes on certain matters to a simple majority vote

Senatorial Courtesy

Presidential custom of submitting the names of prospective appointees for approval to senators from the states in which the appointees are to work.

Standing

A legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit

Clarence Thomas

African American jurist, nominated by George H. W. Bush to be on the Supreme Court in 1991, and shortly after was accused of sexual harassment by Anita Hill, he became the second African American to hold a seat in the Supreme Court.