State Courts Overview

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to state courts as discussed in the lecture.

Litigious

Prone to engage in lawsuits; indicating a tendency to sue.

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.

Jurisdiction

The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

Precedent

A legal decision or form of case law that influences subsequent decisions.

Civil Case

A legal case concerning the rights of individuals or organizations, usually involving monetary compensation.

Criminal Case

A case in which a person is accused of violating a criminal law.

Domestic Litigation

Legal disputes related to family matters such as divorce, custody, and paternity.

Jurisdictional Types

The two main types of jurisdiction are original and appellate.

Remand

To send a case back to a lower court for further action.

Exclusionary Rule

A legal principle that excludes evidence obtained in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights.

Texas Supreme Court

The highest court in Texas, which primarily hears civil cases.

Court of Criminal Appeals

The highest court in Texas for criminal cases.

Case Filings

Official submissions of legal documents to a court.

Per Capita

Per person; used to denote the average per person in a population.

Writ of Certiorari

A type of writ used to bring a case before the Supreme Court.

State Bar Association

A professional organization that regulates the practice of law in a specific state.

Constitutional Challenge

A legal claim that a law or government action violates the constitution.

Texas Courts

The court system in Texas characterized by a high number of cases and specialized courts.

Judges

Legal professionals who preside over court proceedings.

Litigation

The process of taking legal action; the act of suing.