Legal Concepts and Court System

Flashcards covering key legal concepts and structures of the court system.

Jurisdiction

The territory, subject matter, or persons over which lawful authority may be exercised by a court or other justice agency.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a given court over a specific geographic area or over particular types of cases.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The lawful authority of a court to review a decision made by a lower court.

Bail

The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, often involving a monetary guarantee.

Plea Bargaining

The negotiated agreement among defendant, prosecutor, and the court regarding a plea and associated sentence.

U.S. Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, composed of nine justices, including the Chief Justice.

Trial Courts of General Jurisdiction

Courts that have the authority to hear a wide variety of cases.

State Court System

The judicial structure within a state, consisting of various levels of courts including trial and appellate courts.

Roberts Court

Refers to the current Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts since 2017.

Federal Court System

The structure of courts at the federal level, including District Courts, Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court.