Federal Court System and Judicial Branch Overview

A series of flashcards covering key legal concepts, definitions, and structures related to the federal and state court systems.

Federal Courts

Courts that interpret federal law and decide its meaning in practice.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws.

Article III of the Constitution

Establishes the judicial power of the United States, including the Supreme Court.

District Courts

The trial courts of the federal court system established in 1789.

Court of Appeals

Federal courts that review cases from district courts, established in 1891.

Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS)

The highest court in the federal judiciary, which reviews a limited number of cases.

Justices

Judges of the Supreme Court who serve lifetime appointments.

Recusal

The act of withdrawing from a case due to potential bias or conflict of interest.

Territorial Courts

Courts that function like district courts for U.S. territories.

Common Law

Law established by previous court decisions and customs.

Statutory Law

Written laws enacted by legislative bodies.

Equity Law

Law that seeks to prevent harm before it occurs, focusing on fairness.

Class A1 Misdemeanor

The most serious type of misdemeanor involving severe crimes like assault with a deadly weapon.

General Trial Courts

State courts that handle serious criminal and civil cases, also known as circuit or superior courts.

Textualism

Interpretation of the Constitution based on the plain meaning of its words.

Originalism

Interpretation of the Constitution based on the framers' intent and the text.

Contextualism/Living Constitutionalism

Interpretation of the Constitution that considers evolving societal values.