Federal Court System and Judicial Process

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to the federal court system and judicial processes as outlined in the lecture notes.

U.S. District Courts

The lowest level in the federal court system, handling most federal cases at the trial level.

Appellate Jurisdiction

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

Original Jurisdiction

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

U.S. Courts of Appeals

The intermediate appellate courts in the federal system that review decisions from district courts.

Writ of Certiorari

An order from a superior court requesting the record of a lower court for review.

Judicial Selection

The process used to select judges for courts, which varies in the United States.

Partisan Elections

Judicial candidates run for office with political party affiliations shown on the ballot.

Nolle Prosequi

A decision by a prosecutor to drop the charges in a case.

Plea Bargaining

A negotiation in which an accused pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid a harsher sentence.

Indeterminate Sentencing

A prison sentence with a minimum and maximum length, with parole eligibility after the minimum.

Restitution

A condition of probation requiring an offender to repay the victim for the harm caused.

Grand Jury

A secret process controlled by the prosecutor to decide whether there is enough evidence for charges.

Defendant

An individual accused of a crime in a court of law.

Arraignment

A court proceeding where the defendant is informed of the charges and enters a plea.

Community Prosecution

A prosecutorial philosophy emphasizing cooperation with the community to prevent crime.

Just Desert

The philosophy that offenders should be punished fairly and justly based on their actions.

Judicial Independence

The principle that judges should not be influenced by external pressures when making rulings.

Excessive Bail

Bail that is higher than necessary to ensure the defendant's presence at trial.

Conditional Bond

A release under supervision with specific conditions that the defendant must comply with.

Habitual Offender

An individual who has been convicted of multiple felonies, facing increased sentences upon further conviction.

Death Penalty

A legal punishment in which a person is executed by the state as a consequence for a crime.