History judicial vocab

jurisdiction

The power of a court to try and decide a case.

exclusive jurisdiction

The power of the federal courts alone to hear certain cases

concurrent jurisdiction

powers shared by federal and state courts to hear certain cases

original jurisdiction

power to hear a case first before any other court

Appellate jurisdiction

Authority of a court to review decisions of inferior courts

Inferior

those courts in the federal system that are below the Supreme Court

Docket

a list of cases in court for trial, or the names of the parties who have cases pending.

Appeal

an application or proceeding for review by a higher court

Circuit

the court of general jurisdiction in a number of U.S states

Writ of certiorari

order issued by a higher court, directing a lower court to send up the record of the case for its review.

Certificate

a method of putting a case before the Supreme Court; used when a lower court is not clear about the procedure for the rule of law that should apply in a case and asked the Supreme Court to certify the answer to a specific question.

Dissenting (minority) opinion

written explanation of the views of one or more judges who disagree with a decision reached by a majority of the court.

Concurring opinion

written explanation of the views of one or more judges who support a decision reached by a majority of the court, but disagree with the grounds for that decision.

Majority opinion

written statement by a majority of the judges of a court in support of a decision made by that court

Briefs

A written argument present to a court

Judicial review

power of the courts t determine the constitutionality of the actions of the legislature and executive branches of government