Federal Court System

This set of flashcards reviews key vocabulary and concepts from the Federal Court System lecture, covering the structure, functions, and roles of federal courts and judges.

Federal Court System

The system of courts established by Article III of the Constitution, comprising Federal and State courts.

Constitutional Courts

Courts established under Article III of the Constitution, including the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeals, and District Courts.

Special Courts

Legislative courts created by Congress to handle specific issues, such as military appeals.

Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear and decide cases.

Exclusive Jurisdiction

The power of only federal courts to hear certain cases.

Concurrent Jurisdiction

The ability for both federal and state courts to hear the same case.

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 from lower courts.

Appointment of Federal Judges

Federal judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Constitutional Court Judges

Judges appointed for life, removable only by impeachment.

Legislative Court Judges

Judges who serve fixed terms as established by Congress.

District Courts

Courts where most federal cases begin, with original jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases.

Grand Jury

A jury that decides whether there is enough evidence for a trial.

Petit Jury

A jury that determines the guilt or innocence of a defendant.

Courts of Appeals

Federal courts that review appeals from lower courts, created to alleviate the Supreme Court's workload.

Court of International Trade

A federal court that handles civil cases related to tariffs and trade laws.

Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

A special court established in 1982 to centralize appeals from lower and special courts.

The Supreme Court

The highest court in the U.S., consisting of nine justices, including a Chief Justice.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison

The landmark case that established the principle of judicial review.

Writ of Certiorari

An order issued by the Supreme Court to a lower court to send the record of a case for review.

Rule of Four

The principle that at least four justices must agree to hear a case.

Majority Opinion

The final decision of the Supreme Court, which represents the view of the majority of justices.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority's decision but provides different reasoning.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion that disagrees with the majority decision, which may influence future cases.

Court of Federal Claims

A special court that handles cases against the U.S. government filed by citizens.

Solicitor General

The attorney representing the U.S. government before the Supreme Court.

Conference

A private meeting of the justices to discuss cases and cast votes.