Federal court system

How is the national court system organized

Three levels: district courts, appellate courts, Supreme Court.

What is the relationship between national and state courts

Separate systems with overlap; federal courts can overturn state laws.

What are the three levels of the federal court system

District, appellate, Supreme Court.

What cases do district courts hear

Federal criminal cases, civil cases, and diversity cases.

What cases do appellate courts hear

Appeals from district courts.

What cases does the Supreme Court hear

Constitutional, federal law, and inter-court conflicts.

How does a case reach the Supreme Court

Writ of certiorari or original jurisdiction.

When does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction

Cases involving states, ambassadors, or foreign officials.

What is habeas corpus

Protection against unlawful imprisonment.

What courts have habeas corpus jurisdiction

State and federal courts.

How do most cases in the U.S. end

Plea bargains, settlements, or dismissals.

What are remedies

Court-ordered solutions such as damages or injunctions.

What effects have remedies had

Enforce rights and shape public policy.

What are the steps in appointing a federal judge

Presidential nomination → Senate hearings → Senate vote → appointment.

What is a litmus test

Ideological screening of judicial nominees.

What steps does the Senate take in confirmations

Hearings, committee vote, full Senate vote.

How does politics influence judicial selection

Presidents appoint ideologically aligned judges.

What evidence shows that public opinion affects judicial decisions

Court rulings often align with elite and societal opinion.

What is the difference between judicial activism and restraint

Activism supports broad interpretation; restraint limits judicial power.

What defined the Warren Court

Expansion of civil rights and liberties.

What defined the Burger Court

Mixed rulings with some conservative shifts.

What defined the Rehnquist Court

Emphasis on federalism and states' rights.

What defines the Roberts Court

Conservative majority with selective moderation.

What is a dual court system

Separate federal and state court systems.

What are constitutional checks on the judiciary

Impeachment, appointments, jurisdiction limits, amendments.

What are the three historical stages of federal courts

Nation-building, rights expansion, policy-making.

How is today's Supreme Court described

Powerful, polarized, and influential in national policy.

What is judicial review

Power of courts to declare acts of Congress, the president, or states unconstitutional.

What is original jurisdiction

Authority of a court to hear a case first.

What is appellate jurisdiction

Authority to review decisions of lower courts.

What is exclusive jurisdiction

Cases that can only be heard in federal courts.

What is a writ of certiorari

Order by the Supreme Court to review a lower court case.

What is a writ of mandamus

Court order compelling a government official to perform a duty.

What is a writ of injunction

Court order stopping or requiring an action.

What is a writ of habeas corpus

Order requiring the government to justify a person's detention.

What is standing

Requirement that plaintiffs show direct harm to bring a case.

What is a class action suit

Lawsuit filed on behalf of a group with similar claims.

What is an amicus curiae brief

"Friend of the court" brief submitted by interest groups.

What is stare decisis

Doctrine of following precedent.

What is precedent

Prior judicial decision used as a guide for future cases.

What is a trial court

Court where cases are first heard.

What is judicial activism

Philosophy favoring an active judicial role in policy making.

What is judicial restraint

Philosophy limiting courts to narrow interpretation of law.

What is civil law

Law involving disputes between individuals or organizations.

What is criminal law

Law involving crimes against society.

What is constitutional law

Law involving interpretation of the Constitution.

What is bloc voting

Justices voting together consistently.

What is a swing vote

Justice whose vote often decides the outcome.

What is a superior court

State trial court of general jurisdiction.

What is a district court

Lowest level of federal courts where trials occur.

What is an appellate court

Court that reviews lower court decisions.

What is a state supreme court

Highest court in a state.

What is the Supreme Court of the United States

Highest court in the federal system.

What are federal courts

Courts established under Article III.

What is Article III

Constitutional article establishing the judiciary.

What is senatorial courtesy

Tradition allowing senators to block nominees from their state.

What is the solicitor general

Represents the U.S. government before the Supreme Court.

What is a majority opinion

Official court decision.

What is a concurring opinion

Agrees with outcome but for different reasons.

What is a dissenting opinion

Disagrees with the majority decision.

What is a remedy

Court-ordered solution to a legal problem.

What is loose construction

Broad interpretation of the Constitution.

What is strict construction

Narrow interpretation of the Constitution.

What is judicial independence

Ability of judges to decide cases free from political pressure.

What did the Judiciary Act of 1789 do

Created the federal court system.

What did the Judiciary Act of 1869 do

Set the Supreme Court at nine justices.

What did the Judiciary Act of 1891 do

Created federal appellate courts.

What did the Judiciary Act of 1925 do

Gave Supreme Court control over its docket