Judicial branch

Writ of Certiorari

An order from a higher court to a lower one; the lower court must deliver its record of the case so that the higher one can review it

Amicus curiae

“Friend of the court” An individual or organization that does not take a side, but offers information and assistance to the court

Stare decisis

“To stand by things decided” A court will follow a previous decision when the topics are the same or related; this helps consistency in court decisions

The branch that creates lower courts

Congress (legislative)

the enforcer of judicial decisions

executive branch

How can Congress or the president limit or circumvent Supreme Court decisions

legislation, new amendments, delay implementation of decision, remove case jurisdiction, appoint your own ideology to justice

Appellate jurisdiction

a higher court reviews and re-hears a lower one’s decision

Original jurisdiction

the case is first heard by the higher court and does not go through any others before