Chapter 13: Overview of the U.S. Court System

What are the two main responsibilities of the courts?

To protect the United States Constitution and to protect the individual.

What is the role of the Supreme Court in the judicial system?

It is independent and only rules on cases it takes.

How did the courts originate in the United States?

The Articles of Confederation did not allow for national courts; the United States Constitution established the judicial power.

What is the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction?

Original jurisdiction means a court is hearing a case for the first time, while appellate jurisdiction involves reviewing a lower court's ruling.

What established the framework for the federal courts?

The Judiciary Act of 1789.

What is judicial review?

A power the Supreme Court uses to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional, not expressly declared in the Constitution.

What landmark case established judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison (1803).

What is common law?

Law developed through binding judicial decisions.

What is the structure of the U.S. court system?

It is a dual court system consisting of national and state levels.

What are the two main types of law in the judicial system?

Criminal law, which deals with rules and punishments, and civil law, which involves disputes between private parties.

How does location affect the judicial system?

Location can affect the results of cases and the application of law may vary between states.

What is the basic level of federal courts?

District courts, where trials are held.

What is the role of circuit courts in the federal system?

They review the rulings of district courts.

How are federal judges selected?

They are selected by the executive branch and confirmed by a majority vote in the Senate.

What is the role of the chief justice?

The chief justice leads the Supreme Court.

What is a writ of certiorari?

A request for the lower court to send its decision to the Supreme Court for review.

What are the types of opinions issued by the Supreme Court?

Majority, dissenting, and concurring opinions.

What does activism in the court aim to achieve?

To defend individual rights and liberties.

What does restraint in the court entail?

To defer decisions to the elected branch of government and strictly interpret the Bill of Rights.

What is judicial implementation?

The process by which other branches implement and enforce rulings by the Supreme Court.

What is the role of the Solicitor General?

To represent the federal government before the Supreme Court.

What are oral arguments?

The presentations made by the parties involved in a case before the Supreme Court.

What is a docket in the context of the Supreme Court?

The list of cases that the court will hear.