Overview of the Judiciary Branch

These flashcards cover essential terms related to the Judiciary Branch, including key concepts such as jurisdictions, landmark court cases, and legal philosophies.

Appellate Jurisdiction

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

Limited Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to act as the first court to hear a case and find facts.

Federalist No. 78

An argument by Alexander Hamilton that the federal judiciary would be unlikely to infringe upon rights and liberties, serving as a check on the other two branches.

Judicial Review

The authority of the Supreme Court to strike down laws or executive actions that conflict with the Constitution.

Precedent

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

Stare Decisis

The practice of letting a previous legal decision stand.

Majority Opinion

A binding Supreme Court opinion that serves as precedent for future cases.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority decision, providing different or additional reasoning.

Dissenting Opinion

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

Judicial Activism

A philosophy of constitutional interpretation that justices should use the power of judicial review to create bold new policies.

Judicial Restraint

A philosophy of constitutional interpretation that justices should be cautious in overturning laws.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the federal judiciary of the United States, including the Supreme Court, circuit courts, and district courts.

Judiciary Act of 1801

Expanded federal jurisdiction and created additional circuit court judgeships to favor a strong national government.

Criminal Law

A category of law covering actions determined to harm the community.

Civil Law

A category of law covering cases involving private rights and relationships between individuals and groups.

Federal District Courts

The lowest level of the federal judiciary, typically having original jurisdiction in federal cases.

Federal Courts of Appeal

The middle level of the federal judiciary; these courts review and hear appeals from federal district courts.