Federal Judiciary 3

These flashcards cover essential concepts related to the Federal Judiciary, including key terms, doctrines, and landmark cases.

Rule of Four

A Supreme Court practice whereby at least four justices must agree to hear a case.

Legal Standing

The requirement that an individual must have a sufficient connection to and harm from a law or action to support that individual's participation in the case.

Stare Decisis

A legal doctrine that obligates courts to follow historical cases when making a ruling on a similar case.

Sovereign Immunity

The doctrine that a government cannot be sued without its consent.

Certiorari (Cert)

A writ issued by the Supreme Court indicating that the Court will hear a case.

Amicus Curiae

A person or organization that is not a party to a case but offers information or testimony relevant to the case.

Per Curiam Opinion

An unsigned, brief opinion issued by the Supreme Court, where the decision is made collectively.

Total Incorporation

The legal doctrine that the 14th Amendment makes the entire Bill of Rights applicable to the states.

Selective Incorporation

The legal doctrine that only certain rights in the Bill of Rights apply to the states.

McDonald v. Chicago

A 2010 Supreme Court case that ruled the Second Amendment applies to state laws through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Judicial Activism

The practice where judges make rulings based on personal views or consideration of broader societal implications rather than existing law.

Judicial Restraint

The principle that judges should limit the exercise of their own power and defer to the decisions made by elected officials.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority decision but for different reasons.