Judiciary Branch Quizlet

Judicial Review

Supreme Court's power to examine and invalidate legislative and executive actions that conflict with the Constitution

Original Jurisdiction

Power of a court to hear a case for the first time

Appellate Jurisdiction

Power of a court to review and overturn decisions made by lower courts

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the basic structure of the federal court system, including Supreme Court, federal district courts, and circuit courts

Rule of 4

Requirement that at least four Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case

Judicial Activism

Approach where judges actively interpret the Constitution and are more flexible in legal rulings

Judicial Restraint

Approach where judges strictly interpret the Constitution and defer to other branches of government

Stare Decisis

Legal principle of "to stand by things decided" - following established precedents

Certiorari

Process of Supreme Court selecting which cases to hear

Amicus Curiae

"Friend of the court" briefs submitted by interested parties not directly involved in a case

Majority Opinion

Official ruling of the Supreme Court that represents the majority view

Concurring Opinion

A court opinion that agrees with the final ruling but for different legal reasons

Dissenting Opinion

A court opinion that disagrees with the majority's decision

Behavioral Model

Judicial decision-making model suggesting personal experiences and backgrounds influence court decisions

Attitudinal Model

Judicial decision-making model where political ideology and personal beliefs shape judicial decisions

Strategic Model

Judicial decision-making model where judges consider political and institutional consequences of their decisions

Types of Jurisdiction

Original, Appellate, Limited, Comprehensive

Supreme Court Nomination Process

1) President nominates 2) Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearings 3) Senate votes to confirm

Legislative Checks on Judiciary

Congress can create/eliminate courts, set number of justices, control court budgets, impeach federal judges

Per Curiam Opinion

Unsigned opinion issued by the entire court

Constitutional Law

Type of law that interprets and applies the U.S. Constitution

Criminal Law

Type of law dealing with offenses against society or the state

Civil Law

Type of law resolving disputes between individuals or organizations

Judicial Review

Supreme Court's power to examine and invalidate legislative and executive actions that conflict with the Constitution

Original Jurisdiction

Power of a court to hear a case for the first time

Appellate Jurisdiction

Power of a court to review and overturn decisions made by lower courts

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the basic structure of the federal court system, including Supreme Court, federal district courts, and circuit courts

Rule of 4

Requirement that at least four Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case

Judicial Activism

Approach where judges actively interpret the Constitution and are more flexible in legal rulings

Judicial Restraint

Approach where judges strictly interpret the Constitution and defer to other branches of government

Stare Decisis

Legal principle of "to stand by things decided" - following established precedents

Certiorari

Process of Supreme Court selecting which cases to hear

Amicus Curiae

"Friend of the court" briefs submitted by interested parties not directly involved in a case

Majority Opinion

Official ruling of the Supreme Court that represents the majority view

Concurring Opinion

A court opinion that agrees with the final ruling but for different legal reasons

Dissenting Opinion

A court opinion that disagrees with the majority's decision

Behavioral Model

Judicial decision-making model suggesting personal experiences and backgrounds influence court decisions

Attitudinal Model

Judicial decision-making model where political ideology and personal beliefs shape judicial decisions

Strategic Model

Judicial decision-making model where judges consider political and institutional consequences of their decisions

Types of Jurisdiction

Original, Appellate, Limited, Comprehensive

Supreme Court Nomination Process

1) President nominates 2) Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearings 3) Senate votes to confirm

Legislative Checks on Judiciary

Congress can create/eliminate courts, set number of justices, control court budgets, impeach federal judges

Per Curiam Opinion

Unsigned opinion issued by the entire court

Constitutional Law

Type of law that interprets and applies the U.S. Constitution

Criminal Law

Type of law dealing with offenses against society or the state

Civil Law

Type of law resolving disputes between individuals or organizations

"Least Dangerous Branch"

Hamilton's description of the judiciary, which lacks direct military or financial power

Judicial Independence

The principle of protecting judges from political pressures through lifetime appointments

Constitutional Supremacy

The concept that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and courts must uphold it over conflicting laws

"Good Behavior" Tenure

Lifetime judicial appointments designed to protect judges from political influence

Judicial Interpretation

The court's role in interpreting the meaning and application of laws and the Constitution

Checks and Balances

The system preventing any single branch of government from becoming too powerful

Judicial Reasoning

The process of making legal decisions based on constitutional principles and legal precedents

Limited Judicial Power

The idea that courts can only interpret laws, not make or enforce them

Judicial Judgment

The court's ability to make decisions based on legal reasoning rather than political will or force

Hamilton's Judicial Philosophy

Belief that courts should protect the Constitution and prevent legislative overreach

Constitutional Interpretation

The process of understanding and applying the principles of the Constitution to specific legal cases

Impartiality of Judges

The principle that judges should make decisions based on law, not personal or political preferences