Chapter 2. America's Courts and the Criminal Justice System - Chapter 2: Federal Courts

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structure, jurisdiction, key cases, and specialized courts of the federal judicial system based on Chapter 2 of America's Courts and the Criminal Justice System.

Subject Matter Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear and decide a certain type of case.

Personal Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to exercise legal jurisdiction over an individual person or entity.

Hierarchical Jurisdiction

The division of court responsibilities and authority into original jurisdiction (trial courts) and appellate jurisdiction (review courts).

Geographical Jurisdiction

The specified physical and territorial boundary within which a court has the authority to adjudicate cases, determining venue.

Federal Question Jurisdiction

Federal court authority to hear cases concerning suits between states, ambassadors and high-ranking public figures, federal crimes, bankruptcy, patents/copyrights/trademarks, admiralty, antitrust, securities and banking regulation, and matters specified by federal statute.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

The landmark Supreme Court ruling establishing that the U.S. Constitution gives courts the power to invalidate acts of Congress as unconstitutional.

Magistrate Judges

Judicial officers appointed for 8-year terms by district court judges to relieve their workload; they can perform all duties except holding a trial for and sentencing felony cases.

District Courts

Federal trial courts of original jurisdiction that conduct trials and handle prisoner petitions, including habeas corpus, motions to vacate sentence, mandamus petitions, and § 1983 and civil rights claims.

Prisoner Petitions

Legal filings handled by U.S. District Courts that include habeas corpus, motions to vacate sentence, mandamus petitions, and § 1983 / civil rights claims.

U.S. Courts of Appeals

Intermediate federal appellate courts established in 1891, consisting of 13 circuits (11 numbered circuits, the D.C. Circuit, and the Federal Circuit) that typically hear cases as a 3-judge panel.

U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS)

The nation's highest court, which exercises mostly discretionary appellate jurisdiction over about 80 cases per year and only rarely sits as a court of original jurisdiction.

Writ of Certiorari

A formal order issued by the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to hear an appeal from a lower court, requiring the approval of at least 4 justices.

Constitutional Courts

Specialized or general federal courts established by Congress pursuant to Article III of the U.S. Constitution.

Legislative Courts

Specialized federal courts created by Congress under its Article I powers.

Tax Court

An Article I legislative trial court staffed by permanent judges that resolves tax disputes.

Court of Federal Claims

An Article I trial court with permanent judges that adjudicates monetary claims against the federal government.

Court of Veterans Appeal

An Article III trial court with permanent judges that hears disputes over federal veterans' benefits.

U.S. Court of International Trade

An Article III trial-level court with permanent judges that handles disputes concerning the imports of foreign goods.

U.S. Court of Appeals of the Armed Forces

An Article III appellate court with permanent judges that reviews court-martial cases under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

An Article III appellate court with permanent judges possessing jurisdiction over trademarks, patents, foreign trade, and claims against the federal government.

Alien Terrorist Removal Court

An Article I trial court with borrowed federal judges that decides whether an alien should be removed from the United States on the grounds of being an alien terrorist.

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC)

An Article III trial court that utilizes borrowed judges from other federal courts to review and authorize electronic surveillance of foreign intelligence agents.

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review

An Article III appellate court with borrowed judges that reviews decisions regarding electronic surveillance of foreign intelligence agents.

Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)

The statutory military justice code included in 1950 governing criminal offenses and judicial proceedings for armed forces service members and enemy combatants.