Legal Precedent and Case Law

Flashcards highlighting key vocabulary and concepts related to legal precedent, case law, and court procedures.

Precedent

A legal decision or form of case law that must be followed in future cases with similar circumstances.

Stare Decisis

A Latin term meaning 'let the decision stand,' which obligates courts to follow historical cases when making rulings.

Common Law

Law developed through court decisions and precedents rather than statutes.

Case of First Impression

A legal case that presents novel issues or facts that have never been decided before in the jurisdiction.

Judicial Review

The power of the federal courts to invalidate government actions that are found to be unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison

An 1803 Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review in the United States.

Inferior Court

A lower court that must follow the rulings of higher courts in their jurisdiction.

Legislature's Intent

The purpose and goals that the legislative body intended to achieve when passing a statute.

Analogies

A method used by courts to draw comparisons between similar cases or legal issues when addressing a case of first impression.

Statutory Law

Law enacted by a legislative body, as opposed to case law developed through judicial decisions.