The Court System Review

These flashcards cover key concepts from Chapter 6 of the lecture on the court system, including important cases, principles, and roles within the judicial framework.

SCOTUS

Supreme Court of the United States.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the federal judiciary system.

Attorney General

The main legal advisor to the government.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess the constitutionality of laws.

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review in the U.S. system.

Diversity of Citizenship

A basis for federal court jurisdiction involving parties from different states.

Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case.

Precedent

A legal principle created by a court decision that serves as an example.

Common Law

Law derived from judicial decisions rather than statutes.

Article III

The section of the Constitution that establishes the judicial branch.

Stare Decisis

The doctrine of adhering to precedent.

Federalism

The division of power between national and state governments.

Criminal Law

The body of law that relates to crime.

Civil Law

The body of law that deals with disputes between private parties.

Torts

Civil wrongs that cause harm or loss to individuals.

Concurrent Jurisdiction

When two or more courts have jurisdiction over the same matter.

Reserved Powers

Powers not granted to the federal government but reserved for the states.

County Court

A local court that handles minor civil and criminal matters.

Circuit Court

A court that holds sessions at various intervals in different sections of a judicial district.

Felonies

Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment or death.

Misdemeanors

Less serious offenses typically punished with fines or short jail time.

Family Law

Area of law dealing with family-related issues.

Appeals

Requests to a higher court to review and change the outcome of a lower court's decision.

District Courts of Appeal

Intermediate appellate courts in the federal and state systems.

Affirm

To uphold a lower court's decision.

Reverse

To overturn a lower court's decision.

Remand

To send a case back to a lower court for further action.

Appellate Courts

Courts that hear appeals from lower courts.

Judicial Nominating Commission

A body that recommends candidates for judicial appointments.

US Circuit Courts of Appeal

Intermediate appellate courts that review cases from district courts.

Mapp v. Ohio

Case establishing the exclusionary rule at the state level.

Due Process

Legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights.

US District Courts

The general trial courts of the United States federal court system.

Rule of Law

The principle that all people and institutions are subject to the law.

Exclusionary Rule

Law that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in court.

Good Faith Exception

Allows the admission of evidence obtained in violation of a person's rights if the police believed they were acting lawfully.

Inevitable Discovery Exception

Allows admission of evidence that would have been discovered legally.

Quorum

The minimum number of members required to conduct business.

Rule of Four

At least four justices must agree to hear a case for it to be accepted by the Supreme Court.

Writ of Certiorari

A request for the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision.

Petition for Certiorari

A formal application to the Supreme Court to hear a case.

Solicitor General

The attorney representing the federal government before the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice

The head justice of the Supreme Court.

Opinions

Statements by judges that explain the decision of the court.

Majority Opinion

The judicial opinion agreed to by more than half of the members of a court.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by a member of the court who disagrees with the majority.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion that agrees with the outcome but not with the reasoning.

Trial Courts

Courts where cases are first tried and evidence is presented.

Brown v. Board of Education

Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

District of Columbia v. Heller

Case ruling that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm.

Griswold v. Connecticut

Case that established the right to privacy regarding marital contraception.

Loving v. Virginia

Supreme Court case that invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

Miranda v. Arizona

Case establishing Miranda rights for individuals in police custody.

Obergefell v. Hodges

Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Texas v. Johnson

Case protecting flag burning as symbolic speech under the First Amendment.

14th Amendment

Constitutional amendment granting citizenship and equal protection under the law.

State Questions

Legal issues that are primarily governed by state law.

Federal Questions

Legal issues that arise under federal law or the U.S. Constitution.

Dual Court System

The existence of both federal and state courts in the judicial system.

State Courts

Courts that handle legal disputes under state laws.

Federal Courts

Courts that handle legal disputes under federal laws.

Diversity Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction allowing for federal court jurisdiction when parties are from different states.

US District Courts

Federal trial courts of general jurisdiction.

State Supreme Court

The highest court in a state.

Intermediate Appellate Courts

Courts that hear appeals from lower trial courts before reaching the highest court.