US Gov Unit 4

Article III of the US Constitution

Defines the structure and powers of the Judicial branch of the government.

Original jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.

Appellate jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.

State jurisdiction

Legal authority of state courts to hear cases involving state laws or issues.

Federal jurisdiction

The authority of federal courts to hear cases involving federal laws or constitutional issues.

Criminal trial process

The sequence of events from arrest to final appeal, including arraignment, trial, and sentencing.

Court officers

Individuals such as judges and attorneys who play specific roles in the courtroom.

SCOTUS opinion

A written explanation by the Supreme Court detailing its ruling and the rationale behind it.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark case that established the principle of Judicial Review, allowing courts to invalidate laws that contradict the Constitution.

Importance of McCulloch v. Maryland

The Court - through Judicial Review - states that while the States have the ability to tax, they cannot tax the Federal government as Federal law is supreme over that of State law.

Judiciary Act of 1789.

This act established 6 original Supreme Court Justices (John Jay appointed as Chief Justice). 

• It also established 13 judicial districts with District and Appeals Courts within them. 

Interestingly, it also gave a wide grant of powers to the SCOTUS on what they could do in regards to the law.