The Judicial Branch and Court System in the United States

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the judicial branch and court system in the U.S.

Federal Judges

Judges who are appointed, not elected, to the bench, creating immunity from pressure by interest groups.

Constitutional Law

Laws derived from the Constitution, which are difficult to change and require Supreme Court decisions for new interpretations.

Statutory Law

Written laws that are easier to change and can be reinterpreted through state court decisions.

Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case, with state courts handling most cases and federal courts addressing constitutional issues.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to review and overturn acts of the President, Congress, and states if deemed unconstitutional.

Strict Construction

A narrow interpretation of laws and the Constitution based on original definitions, emphasizing inflexibility.

Loose Construction

A broad interpretation of the Constitution based on contemporary meanings, allowing for flexibility.

Judicial Activism

When the Supreme Court takes an active role in cases that can change societal norms and laws.

Judicial Restraint

A philosophy where the Court refrains from interfering in legislative matters and allows for self-governance.

Majority Opinion

The opinion of the majority of justices in a Supreme Court case that explains the reasoning behind a decision.

Plenary Opinion

An agreement by a majority on the decision of a case, but with varying reasons behind the agreement.

Dissenting Opinion

The reasons provided by the justices who disagree with the majority ruling in a Supreme Court case.

Grand Jury

A group of people selected to hear evidence and decide whether to indict, typically in high-profile cases.

Class Action Lawsuit

A lawsuit brought on behalf of a group of individuals by one person representing their interests.

Supreme Court Justices

Members of the highest court, including the Chief Justice and Associate Justices, who interpret laws and the Constitution.

Article 3 of the US Constitution

The section of the Constitution that outlines the judicial branch and the powers of the Supreme Court.

Writ of Certiorari

An order by the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision, typically requiring approval.

Patronage

The practice of Senators recommending appointees for district courts, influencing the selection of federal judges.

Voting Procedures in the Supreme Court

Protocols established during deliberations, including the order of speaking and decision-making.

Case Selection for the Supreme Court

The process where cases must be chosen by four or more justices and have significant societal impact.

Midnight Orders

Last-minute decisions made by the Supreme Court, often in death penalty appeals when time is constrained.

Court Trends

Patterns in judicial behavior, showing associations between activism/liberalism and restraint/conservatism.

Customs of the Supreme Court

Established protocols that govern discussions and voting among Justices during conferences.