Federal court system

Certiorari

Discretionary review where judges are able to decide which cases are worth their time

Case or Contreversy

A real conflict, to which the parties have an adverse interest

Ripness

A requirement that a case must have reached a certian stage of maturity before the court can weigh in

Standing

An idea which focuses on whether or not the litigant is the proper party to bring a lawsuit

Ashwander Rule

Self made rules which stop the supreme court from hearing certian cases

Rule of 4

A rule which states that a minimum of four justices must agree to hear a case before the supreme court will hear it

Solicitor General

The third ranking official in the department of justice, who represents the US government throughout the judicial process

Amici Curiae

Governments and organizations interested in the result of a case but not parties to it. they can file what is called an amicus brief to state their opinion to the court

Conference

A time for justices to confidentially discuss the cases and make decisions regarding them

Dissenting opinion (Dissent)

an opinion in which the writer disagrees with the decision of the majority. this is generally used to appeal to a future court which may alter the opinion

Concurring opinion (concurrence)

An opinion written when the person agrees with the judgment of the court, but is either unwilling to adopt the majority opinion, or wants to add something additional

Plurality opinion (plurality)

This is used when the majority of justices are unable to agree on a single opinion and thus this is used to announce the judgment of the court and explain the opinions of the plurality

Petitioner

the person who brings the case

Respondant

The person who the case is brought against

Appellant

The person who brings the case on appeal

Appellee

The person who the case is brought against on appeal

Affirm

When the court agrees with the decision of the prior court

Reverse

When the court rejects and sets aside the decision of the prior court

Remand

When the judges send the case back to the lower court to make a new opinion consistent with the courts decision

Political Question doctrine

A rule governing questions in which the judges believe the decision should be made by the political branches of government (legislative or executive branches)

Federal question

A question which involves the meaning or application of the constitution, a federal statute, or a treaty of the united states