Key Terms in U.S. Judicial System
Flashcards covering essential concepts and terminology related to the U.S. judicial system.
Concurring Opinion
An opinion written by one or more justices who agree with the decision but for different reasons than those stated in the majority opinion.
Key Terms
Concurring Opinion
An opinion written by one or more justices who agree with the decision but for different reasons than those stated in the majority opinion.
Dissenting Opinion
An opinion written by one or more justices who disagree with a decision.
Judicial Activism
The belief that the Supreme Court should make policy and vigorously review the policies of other branches.
Judicial Review
The power of the United States Supreme Court to review the acts of other political institutions and declare them unconstitutional.
Justiciability
The doctrine that excludes certain cases from judicial consideration because of the party bringing the lawsuit or the nature of the subject matter....
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Concurring Opinion | An opinion written by one or more justices who agree with the decision but for different reasons than those stated in the majority opinion. |
What is the dual court system? | A system under which U.S. citizens are subject to the jurisdiction of both national and state courts. |
Dissenting Opinion | An opinion written by one or more justices who disagree with a decision. |
Judicial Activism | The belief that the Supreme Court should make policy and vigorously review the policies of other branches. |
Judicial Review | The power of the United States Supreme Court to review the acts of other political institutions and declare them unconstitutional. |
Justiciability | The doctrine that excludes certain cases from judicial consideration because of the party bringing the lawsuit or the nature of the subject matter. |
Judicial Restraint | The belief that the Supreme Court should not become involved in questioning the operations and policies of the elected branches unless absolutely necessary. |
Jurisdiction | The power of a court to hear and decide cases. |
Majority Opinion | An opinion written by a justice who represents a majority of the Court. |
Original Jurisdiction | The power of a court to hear and decide a case first. |
Precedent | A former case that was supported by a majority on an appellate court and provides guidance for the determination of a present case. |
Per Curiam Opinion | An unsigned opinion of the Supreme Court that usually signals a high degree of consensus. |
Rule Of Four | Requirement that a minimum of four justices must vote to review a lower court case by issuing a writ of certiorari. |
Senatorial Courtesy | In the selection of lower federal court judges, deference shown to home-state senators who are of the same party as the president. |
Writ of Certiorari | Order issued by a superior court to one of inferior jurisdiction demanding the record of a particular case. |