Chapter 12 - Federal court system

Criminal law

Government charges someone with breaking a law that protects safety or morals.

Plaintiff

The side bringing the accusation. In criminal cases, it’s always the government.

Defendant

The person being accused or sued.

Civil Law

Laws covering disputes between people, not crimes.

Trial Court

The first court to hear a case

Court of Appeals

Reviews decisions made by trial courts.

Supreme Court

Highest court in the U.S.; final authority.

Plea Bargain

Defendant pleads guilty for a lighter charge/punishment.

Due Process of Law

The government must follow fair procedures before taking life, liberty, or property.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Requires officials to show a reason for holding someone in custody

Chief Justice

Head of the Supreme Court; leads meetings and speaks first.

Judicial Review

The court’s power to check if laws or actions violate the Constitution.

Solicitor General

Main lawyer representing the federal government in Supreme Court cases.

Law Clerks

Assistants who help Supreme Court justices research and draft opinions.

Opinions

Written explanations of the Court’s decision.

Judicial Restraint

Judges stick closely to the Constitution’s text and original meaning.

Judicial Activism

Judges consider broader social impacts, not just the text.

Class-Action Suit

A lawsuit filed on behalf of many people with the same issue.

mootness

When a court case no longer needs a decision because the issue is resolved

appellate jurisdiction

The power to hear appeals from lower courts

Chief Justice

Assigns who writes the opinion when voting with the majority.

Jurisdiction

a court’s area of authority

Special concurrence

When a justice agrees with the decision but for different reasons.

Number of judicial districts in U.S.

94

Number of regional judicial circuits

11

Solicitor General

The government lawyer who screens appeals to the Supreme Court.

State trial courts

Where most criminal cases are heard.

Legal precedents

Past cases used as the basis for deciding current cases.

constitutional requirements for supreme court justices

There are no constitutional requirements.