AP Gov Judiciary Terms

judicial review

SCOTUS has authority to strike down a law or executive action if it is deemed unconstitutional

jurisdiction

determines where the case should be tried (state, local, federal)

original jurisdiction

authority of a court to act as the first to hear a case, including the finding of facts in a case

appellate jurisdiction

authority of a court to hear and review decisions made by lower courts in that system

plaintiff

govt or individual who filed the lawsuit, arguing that they have been wronged

defendant

govt or individual who is being sued and accused of violating one’s rights or breaking an agreement

precedent

judicial decision that acts as a basis for deciding similar cases in the future

judicial restraint

justices should be cautious in overturning laws

judicial activism

justices should create bold new policies and abolish laws when necessary

chief justice

responsible for statute for admin along with hearing cases and writing opinions on them

associate justice

attends and participates in decisions for all judicial meetings, appeals, etc

John Jay

first chief justice of the united states

John Marshall

helped increase the power of the court system during his time as chief justice

Earl Warren

chief justice who ruled that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional

John Roberts

current chief justice

Sandra Day O’Connor

(1981-2006)

first woman to serve on SCOTUS

Thurgood Marshall

(1967-1990) 1st African American justice; lawyer who argued for Brown v. Board and several other civil rights cases

Writ of Certiorari

court process to seek judicial review of a decision of a lower court/govt

legal brief

document presented to court arguing why one party in a case should “win”

Amicus Curiae brief

documents written by those not directly involved in a case, but have insight to assist the decision making

first monday in october

SCOTUS term begins

majority opinion

ruling and logic of the majority of justices in a case, binding and sets precedent after written by designated justice

dissenting opinion

disagrees with majority opinion

concurring opinion

agrees with majority opinion, but with differing reasoning

stare decisis

court relies on standing on the decision made, aka the precedent is established

placed on the dockett

scheduling of SCOTUS appearance for case after writ of certiorari sent out

felix frankfurter

(1939-1962) first jewish justice

sonia sotomayor

(2009-present) first puerto rican american justice

ketanji brown jackson

(2022- present)first African American woman justice