pols chapter 14 simplified terms

• Appellate Jurisdiction – When a higher court reviews a case that was already decided by a lower court.
  
  

• Jurisdiction – A court’s power to hear a case. There are two types:Original Jurisdiction and Appellate Jurisdiction

• Original Jurisdiction – The court is the first to hear the case.
  
  

• Judicial Review – The power of courts to declare laws or government actions unconstitutional.
  
  

• Judicial Activism – The idea that judges can create new legal principles if needed, even if it goes against past decisions.
  
  

• Judicial Restraint – The belief that judges should stick to past rulings (precedents) and let lawmakers make policy decisions.
  
  

• Living Constitution Theory – The idea that the Constitution should be interpreted based on today’s society, not just its original meaning.
  
  

• Originalism Theory – The belief that the Constitution should be interpreted based only on what it meant when it was written.
  
  

• Decision – The final vote by a court on which side wins.
  
  

• Opinion – The written explanation of a court’s decision. There are several types:

• Majority Opinion – The official ruling when most justices agree on both the decision and the reasoning.
  
  

• Concurring Opinion – A justice agrees with the ruling but has different reasons.
  
  

• Dissenting Opinion – A justice explains why they disagree with the majority decision.
  
  

• Plurality Opinion – When most justices agree on the outcome but not on the legal reasoning, so no single opinion gets a full majority.
  
  

• Per Curiam Opinion – A short, unsigned decision issued by the entire Supreme Court.
  
  

• Precedent – A previous court decision that sets an example for future cases.
  
  

• Rule of Four – At least four Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case for it to be reviewed.
  
  

Writ of Certiorari – A request asking the Supreme Court to hear an appeal from a lower court.