Unit 2 GOPO Ch 15 Unit 2- Judicial Branch,– Review Interactions among Branches of Government Because power is widely distributed and checks preven

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by distributing authority among Congress, the presidency, and the courts.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to invalidate laws and executive actions that are deemed unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case (1803) that established the principle of judicial review.

Article III

The section of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the judicial branch and defines its jurisdiction.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the Constitution declaring that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Life Tenure

The provision that federal judges hold their positions for life, providing judicial independence.

Federalist No. 78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton advocating for judicial independence and life tenure for judges.

Stare Decisis

The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

Judicial Activism

The philosophy that courts should play an active role in shaping policy and addressing social issues.

Judicial Restraint

The philosophy that courts should defer to the decisions made by legislatures and avoid making policy.

Bureaucracy

The administrative system governing any large institution, often viewed as the fourth branch of government.

Discretionary Authority

The ability of bureaucratic agencies to make decisions and enforce laws within the scope of their delegated powers.

Power of the Purse

The constitutional power of Congress to control federal spending and influence agency priorities.

Legal Precedents

Previous court decisions that serve as a framework for deciding future cases.

Miranda v. Arizona

A landmark case that required law enforcement to inform suspects of their rights upon arrest.

Roe v. Wade

A landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion based on the right to privacy.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health

A Supreme Court case that overturned Roe v. Wade and restricted abortion rights.

Civil Liberties

Basic rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, often involving protection from government infringement.

Civil Rights

The rights of individuals to receive equal treatment under the law, often associated with efforts to end discrimination.

Ideology and SCOTUS

The influence of justices' ideologies on Supreme Court decisions and precedents.

Congressional Oversight

The power of Congress to monitor and influence the actions of the executive branch.

Appointment Process

The procedure through which the president nominates and the Senate confirms justices and agency heads.

Judiciary Act of 1789

A law that established the federal judiciary and defined the jurisdiction of the courts.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

A federal agency responsible for regulating environmental laws and protections.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

A federal agency responsible for protecting the U.S. from threats and managing immigration.

Department of Education (DOE)

A federal agency that oversees education policies and federal student aid.

Federal Elections Commission (FEC)

A regulatory agency responsible for enforcing federal campaign finance laws.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

The federal agency that regulates the securities industry and protects investors.

Committee Hearings

Sessions held by Congress to investigate executive agencies and ensure compliance with laws.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the president to manage the operations of the federal government.

Public Communication

The method through which the president informs and persuades the public and Congress about policy goals.

Constitutional Amendments

Changes to the Constitution that can overturn or alter Supreme Court decisions.

Compliance Monitoring

The process of ensuring that government agencies adhere to laws and regulations.

Unconstitutional Actions

Actions taken by government entities that violate the Constitution or its amendments.

Appointment Influence

The effect of presidential appointments on the ideological balance of the Supreme Court.

Congressional Acts

Laws passed by Congress that can limit the Supreme Court's jurisdiction or affect its rulings.

Judicial Independence

The concept that the judiciary should remain independent from the other branches of government.

Separation of Powers

The principle of dividing government powers into distinct branches to prevent abuse.

Supreme Court Decisions

Rulings made by the highest court in the U.S. that set legal precedents.

Legislative Encroachments

Attempts by the legislative branch to undermine the independence of the judiciary.