FEDERALISM STUDY NOTES

U.S. Constitution

The highest law in the United States that sets up the government and protects individual rights.

Precedent

A previous court ruling that serves as an example or rule for future similar cases.

Stare Decisis

The legal rule that obligates courts to follow established precedents.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to decide if a law violates the Constitution.

Federalism

A system where power is divided between the national government and state governments.

Civil Law

The branch of law that handles private disputes between people or organizations.

Criminal Law

The branch of law that deals with actions that harm society and are punished by the state.

Due Process

The guarantee that the legal system will treat everyone fairly and follow proper rules.

Statute

A formal written law passed by Congress or a state legislature.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that protect basic individual freedoms.