The Structure of the Judicial Branch

A collection of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the structure and processes of the Judicial Branch of the United States.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, serving as the court of last resort.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare acts of Congress and the president unconstitutional.

Jurisdiction

The right or authority of a court to hear a case.

Original Jurisdiction

The right to hear a case for the first time.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The right to hear a case on appeal; typically applied when a law has been applied unfairly or incorrectly.

Federal District Courts

Federal trial courts with original jurisdiction over federal cases.

U.S. Court of Appeals

Courts that hear appeals from District Courts, set up to lessen the workload of the Supreme Court.

Certiorari

A petition that a higher court review the decision of a lower court.

Judicial Activism

Judges' philosophies or policy preferences used to determine what is 'just,' possibly overriding the intentions of existing law.

Judicial Restraint

The philosophy that judges should not make policy decisions and must limit their role as interpreters of the Constitution.

Lifetime Appointment

Supreme Court Justices and Federal Judges are appointed for life, with terms lasting until they resign, retire or are removed.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for administering justice through the court system.

Majority Opinion

An opinion that expresses the views of the majority of Supreme Court Justices regarding a case.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion written by a Justice that agrees with the decision of the majority but for different reasons.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by a Justice who disagrees with the majority's decision in a case.

Clarence Thomas

Supreme Court Justice appointed by President George H. W. Bush in 1991, known for his conservative views.

Sonia Sotomayor

Supreme Court Justice appointed by President Obama in 2009, notable for being the first Hispanic Justice.

Federal Circuit Courts

Courts that serve nationwide jurisdiction primarily for civil cases involving patents and trademarks.