Chapter 10 Vocabulary, Judicial Branch - Civics

Plaintiff

an individual or group who brings a complaint against another party

Defendant

a party who defends against the complaint made by a plaintiff

Prosecution

a government body that brings a criminal charge against a defendant

Precedent

a guideline for how all similar cases should be decided in the future

Appeal

ask a higher court to review a decision

Original Jurisdiction

the authority to hear a case first

Court of Appeals

handles appeals from the federal district courts

Circuit Courts

another name for the courts of appeals

Judicial Review

the power to overturn any law that conflicts with the Constitution

Opinion

a written statement explaining the reason for the decision

Judicial Restraint

effort made by judges to avoid overturning laws

Judicial Activism

effort made by judges to take an active role in policymaking by overturning laws often