judiciary

judicial restraint approach

the view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of the laws and the constitution

activist approach

the view that judges should discern the general principles underlying laws or the constitution and apply them to modern circumstances

constitutional court

a federal court, authorized by Article III of the constitution, that keeps judges in office during good behavior and prevents their salaries from being reduced. They include the Supreme court and appellate and district courts created by Congress,

district courts

the lowest federal courts; federal trials can be held only here