Unit 6: The Judicial Branch

These flashcards cover key concepts from Unit 6 on the Judicial Branch, including definitions and significant court cases.

Dual Court System

A system that consists of both federal and state courts.

Criminal Law

Law that deals with crimes against society.

Civil Law

Law that deals with disputes between parties.

Standing

The requirement that a party must have sufficient connection to a harm to support that party's participation in the case.

Supreme Court

The only court mentioned in the U.S. Constitution.

Injunction

A judicial order prohibiting a party from doing a particular act.

Common Law

Law based on judicial decisions and precedents rather than statutes.

Original Jurisdiction

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

Judicial Power is Passive

Judicial power requires cases to be brought before the court.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting the law.

Court of Appeals

The court that hears cases appealed from lower courts.

Senate Judiciary Committee

The committee that screens presidential nominations for federal judges.

Attorney General

The head of the Department of Justice who provides legal advice for the executive branch.

Federal Judge Term

Federal judges serve for life, subject to good behavior.

Senatorial Courtesy

The tradition of allowing senators to approve or reject federal appointments in their state.

Solicitor General

The lawyer who represents the U.S. government before the Supreme Court.

Writ of Certiorari

A request for the Supreme Court to review a case.

Majority Opinion

The official statement of the court's decision.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion by a judge who disagrees with the majority's decision.

Judicial Activism

The view that courts should play an active role in solving social issues.

Judicial Restraint

The view that courts should not become involved in social issues.

Habeas Corpus

The right to go to trial before a judge.

Brown v. Board of Education

The landmark case that declared school segregation unconstitutional.

Miranda v. Arizona

The case that established the requirement to read rights to suspects.

Engle v. Vitale

The case that ruled against school-sponsored prayer.

UC v. Bakke

The case that upheld affirmative action while striking down racial quotas.