Govert Unit 6

Dual Court System

A system that divides the court system into federal and state courts.

Criminal Law

A body of law that deals with crimes and their punishments.

Civil Law

A body of law that deals with disputes between individuals or organizations.

Standing

The requirement to have a sufficient connection to and harm from the law or action challenged.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, established by the Constitution.

Injunction

A court order requiring a person to do or cease doing a specific action.

Common Law

A body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts.

Original Jurisdiction

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

Judicial Power

The authority of courts to interpret and apply the law.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting the law.

Senate Judiciary Committee

A Senate committee responsible for overseeing the nomination of federal judges.

Senatorial Courtesy

The practice whereby a senator can block a judicial nomination by registering objections.

Attorney General

The head of the Department of Justice and the chief legal advisor to the government.

Federal Judge

A judge appointed to serve on a federal court, typically serving for life.

Solicitor General

The lawyer who represents the United States before the Supreme Court.

Writ of Certiorari

An order by a higher court to review the decision of a lower court.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Majority Opinion

The official statement of the court's decision which is supported by the majority of judges.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion in a judicial decision written by one or more judges expressing disagreement.

Judicial Activism

A judicial philosophy advocating that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect current values and conditions.

Judicial Restraint

A judicial philosophy urging judges to limit the exercise of their own power.

Habeas Corpus

A legal principle that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment.

Affirmative Action

Policies that aim to increase opportunities for historically excluded groups.

Miranda Rights

The rights of a person in custody to be informed of their rights to silence and legal counsel.

Flag Burning

An act of public protest that is protected under the First Amendment.

Brown v. Board of Education

A landmark Supreme Court case that declared school segregation unconstitutional.

Engle v. Vitale

A Supreme Court case that ruled it unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer.