The Federal Courts

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the structure, jurisdiction, and decision-making processes of the federal courts.

Jurisdiction

The right of a court to consider a particular case.

Federal Question Jurisdiction

Cases involving the U.S. Constitution or federal laws.

Diversity Jurisdiction

Cases between parties from different states where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.

Article III

Part of the Constitution that defines the structure and jurisdiction of the federal courts.

District Courts

Lower level courts for trials; the primary federal trial courts where most cases begin.

Circuit Courts of Appeals

Intermediate appellate courts that hear appeals from district courts.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the federal system; has both original and appellate jurisdiction.

Writ of Certiorari

A legal order initiating Supreme Court review of lower court decisions.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Legal documents submitted by nonparties to a case to provide additional viewpoints.

The Rule of Four

Internal court rule that requires four justices to agree to hear a case for it to be placed on the docket.

Majority Opinion

The binding legal decision written by the justice assigned by the Chief Justice or the most senior justice in the majority.

Dissenting Opinion

A separate opinion explaining why justices disagree with the majority outcome.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion agreeing with the majority outcome but offering different legal reasoning.

Life Tenure

The constitutionally protected lifetime appointments of federal judges.

Senatorial Courtesy

The practice where a president defers to home-state senators in the nomination of district or circuit court judges.

Judicial Decision Making: Policy Preferences Model

Judges decide cases based on their ideological preferences and desired policy outcomes.

Judicial Decision Making: Strategic Model

Judges consider both their policy preferences and the reactions of other political actors to their decisions.

Judicial Decision Making: Legal Model

Judges decide cases based on what the law requires, following legal rules and precedents.

Federal Judge Selection

The process by which federal judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Circuit Conflicts

Situations where different circuit courts reach opposing conclusions on similar legal issues.

Judicial Independence

The principle that the judiciary should be independent from other branches of government.

Supreme Court Review

The process in which the Supreme Court examines cases and determines their compatibility with the Constitution.

Judicial Precedent

Past judicial decisions that inform future case rulings, maintaining consistency in the legal system.