AP US Government: 2E Vocab

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court's authority to determine the constitutionality of laws or actions.

Judicial Activism

The practice of judges interpreting the Constitution broadly to address societal issues and influence policy.

Judicial Restraint

Judges limit their rulings to strict interpretations of the Constitution, avoiding policy-making.

stare decisis

The principle of adhering to precedent in legal decisions.

Ideological makeup of judges

The political and philosophical leanings of judges, which can influence their rulings.

Jurisdiction

the legal authority of a court to hear and decide cases of a particular type, essentially defining the scope of cases a court can handle

Precedent

A judicial decision that guides future courts in handling similar cases.

Majority opinion

Binding Supreme Court opinions, which serve as precedent for future cases.

Concurring opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority decision, offering different or additional reasoning, that does not serve as precedent.

Dissenting opinion

An opinion that disagrees with the majority opinion and does not serve as precedent.