The Judiciary Branch - PSC 1387 Lesson Two

Vocabulary-focused flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on the U.S. judiciary system, jurisdiction, court structure, and related procedures.

Judiciary

Branch of government responsible for interpreting laws; described by Hamilton as the least dangerous to political rights.

Subject matter jurisdiction

Federal consideration of a case due to claims arising under the Constitution, federal laws, treaties, or maritime law.

Parties (federal jurisdiction)

Grounds for federal consideration based on who is involved: U.S., a state, citizens of different states, or foreign representatives.

Jurisdiction

The court's authority to hear and decide a case.

Original jurisdiction

Authority to be the first court to hear and decide a case.

Precedent

Previous caselaw that supports a current finding and relates to the case.

Reversed

Higher court overturns the lower court’s ruling.

Remand

Sends the case back to the lower court to make a judgment consistent with the upper court’s ruling.

Affirmed

Appellate court rules in favor of the lower court’s holding.

Plaintiff

Party filing a petition against another party in a civil case.

Prosecutor

Government party filing criminal charges against a party.

Respondent

Party being sued in a civil case.

Defendant

Party being accused of a crime.

Civil cases

Cases filed by people seeking civil remedies.

Criminal cases

Cases filed by the government charging a party with a crime.

Article III

Constitutional provision establishing the Supreme Court and authorizing Congress to create lower courts; defines types of cases the Court can hear.

SCOTUS

The Supreme Court; highest court in the United States.

Original jurisdiction (SCOTUS)

SCOTUS authority over cases involving ambassadors, public ministers, consuls, or states as a party.

Appellate jurisdiction (SCOTUS)

SCOTUS authority to review decisions of lower federal courts.

Federal Question Jurisdiction

Cases arising under the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties.

Diversity Jurisdiction

Controversies between citizens of different states (often with a monetary threshold).

Admiralty and Maritime Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction over cases involving admiralty and maritime law.

Three-judge district court panel

Ad hoc panel of three district judges (often including at least one appellate judge) used in certain cases.

Writ of mandamus

Court order directing a public official to perform a task; later deemed unconstitutional in Marbury v. Madison.

Legislative courts

Courts created by Congress to provide technical expertise; judges have fixed, overlapping terms.

Constitutional courts

Courts established by the Constitution (and Congress) with lifetime judges; includes district courts, courts of appeals, and SCOTUS.

U.S. District Courts

Main trial courts; 94 districts; hear federal question or diversity; original jurisdiction; bench or jury trials.

Appellate Courts

Courts that review the law applied by lower courts; typically panels of judges; can uphold, remand, or order retrial.

U.S. Court of Appeals

Intermediate appellate courts; hear cases from district courts within each circuit; en banc option.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Specialized circuit (created in 1982) for appeals involving foreign trade, monetary claims against the government, trademarks, and patents.

SCOTUS (structure)

1 Chief Justice, 8 associate justices; lifetime appointments; nominated by the president and confirmed by Senate.

Writ of certiorari

SCOTUS order to a lower court to send up a case for review; requires 4 justices; discretionary.

Standing

A plaintiff must show actual or imminent injury in fact caused by the defendant and redressable relief.

Ripeness

Harm must be proven or imminent for a case to be heard.

Mootness

A controversy ceases to exist during litigation; exceptions apply in certain repeatable or class-action contexts.

Ashwander Rules

Principles limiting advisory opinions and premature constitutional rulings; avoid unnecessary constitutional questions.

Political Question Doctrine

Cases better decided by other branches of government; the Court declines to hear.

Senatorial Courtesy

Nominator defers to home-state senators for federal district court nominees; involves blue slips.

Blue Slip

Senate Judiciary Chair sends blue slips to home-state senators; non-return signals difficulty or dropping of nomination.

ABA ratings

American Bar Association ratings for nominees: Well Qualified, Qualified, Not Qualified.

Senate confirmation

Final Senate vote to confirm a judicial nominee after hearings.

Appointment for life

Federal judges typically serve lifetime terms, subject to good behavior.

Good behavior

Condition for lifetime tenure for federal judges.

Judicial Selection Variables

Factors in selecting nominees: qualifications, representational considerations, doctrinal views, and other factors like race, gender, faith.

D.C. Circuit

Federal appeals court specializing in administrative/regulatory law; several justices originated there.

Lilly Ledbetter Act (2009)

Congressional change illustrating how laws can influence or respond to judicial interpretations.

Court examples (Legislative vs Constitutional)

Legislative courts: specialized, fixed terms (e.g., Tax Court, Veterans’ Appeals, Court of Federal Claims); Constitutional courts: federal district courts, courts of appeals, and SCOTUS with lifetime judges.

Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation

Process by which a justice is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate after committee consideration.

Jurisdiction hierarchy (overview)

District courts hear facts; appellate courts review law; SCOTUS handles federal questions, diversity, and original/appellate matters.

Circuit Courts structure

11 numbered circuits plus the District of Columbia Circuit; each hears appeals from district courts in its region.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established three layers of federal courts: Supreme Court, circuit courts, and district courts; initiated writs of mandamus issue rules.