Federalism and the Courts Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about federalism and the court system.

Concurrent Power

A power that is shared by both the state and federal governments, such as the power to establish courts.

Original Jurisdiction

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

Appellate Jurisdiction

The power of a court to hear a case on appeal from a lower court.

Supreme Court

Both original and appellate jurisdiction, has 9 justices and no jury.

US Court of Appeals

A court in the federal system that has appellate jurisdiction, judges, and has no jury trial.

US District Courts

Has original jurisdiction and uses jury trials; there are 94 district courts.

Chief Justice

The head of the Supreme Court

Associate Justices

The 8 Supreme Court justices who serve under the Chief Justice.

Writ of Certiorari

An order from the Supreme Court to a lower court to send up the records of a case for review.

Rule of Four

Requires 4 justices to agree to hear a case before it is placed on the court's docket.

Majority Opinion

The official opinion of the Court which stands as precedent.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion written by a judge who agrees with the majority opinion, but wants to add more emphasis to a point.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by a judge who does not agree with the majority opinion.