AP US Government and Politics Unit 2: Interactions Among the Branches of Government (Judicial Branch)

Original Jurisdiction

Original jurisdiction is a court's authority to be the first to hear a case, rather than hearing it on appeal from a lower court.

Appellate Jurisdiction

Appellate jurisdiction is the authority of a higher court to review a lower court's decision to determine if errors of law were made during the original trial.

Judicial review

review by the US Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of a legislative act.

Precedent 

an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.

Stare Decisis

the legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

Certiorari

a writ or order by which a higher court reviews a decision of a lower court.

Judicial activism 

Judicial activism is the practice where judges are seen as using their power to make decisions that advance their personal political or social views, potentially by overturning established precedents or creating new legal interpretations to address contemporary issues.

Judicial restraint

Judicial restraint is a legal philosophy advocating for courts to limit their own power by exercising caution in overturning laws, precedents, and the decisions of other branches of government, emphasizing strict adherence to the Constitution's original text and the deference to the will of elected officials in policy matters.