Questions and Answers
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review ________.
enables it to declare acts of the other branches unconstitutional
The Supreme Court most typically functions as ________.
an appeals court
In Federalist No. 78, Alexander Hamilton characterized the judiciary as the ________.
least dangerous
Appellate jurisdiction is defined as ________.
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Common law is defined as ________.
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Original jurisdiction is defined as ________.
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Marbury v. Madison is known as ________.
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Judicial review is defined as ________.
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An appellate court is defined as ________.
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Civil law is defined as ________.
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A trial court is defined as ________.
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Criminal law is defined as ________.
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The dual court system refers to ________.
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Of all the court cases in the United States, the majority are handled ________.
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Both state and federal courts hear matters that involve ________.
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A state case is more likely to be heard by the federal courts when ________.
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In standing by precedent, a judge relies on the principle of ________.
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Besides the Supreme Court, there are lower courts in the national system called ________.
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The justices of the Supreme Court are ________.
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A synonym for circuit courts is ________.
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Courts of appeals/Circuit Courts are defined as ________.
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Stare decisis is defined as ________.
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District courts are defined as ________.
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Senatorial courtesy is described as ________.
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Precedent is defined as ________.
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The Supreme Court consists of ________.
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A case will be placed on the Court's docket when ________ justices agree to do so.
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One of the main ways interest groups participate in Supreme Court cases is by ________.
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The lawyer who represents the federal government and argues cases before the Supreme Court is the ________.
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Amicus curiae literally means ________.
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An associate justice is ________.
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The chief justice is defined as ________.
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Study Notes
Judicial Review and the Supreme Court
- Supreme Court can declare acts of other branches unconstitutional through judicial review.
- Functions primarily as an appeals court, reviewing decisions from lower courts.
- Established judicial review in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison (1803).
Types of Jurisdiction
- Appellate Jurisdiction: Allows courts to hear appeals and potentially change lower court decisions.
- Original Jurisdiction: Courts' power to hear a case for the first time.
Types of Law
- Common Law: Developed through court case rulings and judge decisions.
- Civil Law: Governs non-criminal disputes, focusing on private rights.
- Criminal Law: Defines prohibited actions harmful to others and their corresponding punishments.
Court Structures
- Dual Court System: Divides courts into federal and state systems; each state has its own courts.
- Trial Courts: First level of courts where cases are initially tried.
- District Courts: Federal trial courts where evidence is presented and cases are heard.
- Circuit/Courts of Appeals: Federal appellate courts reviewing lower court decisions.
Court Processes and Practices
- Stare Decisis: Principle of relying on precedent when making legal decisions.
- A Supreme Court case is added to the docket when four justices agree to hear it.
- Interest groups may influence cases through amicus curiae briefs, meaning "friend of the court."
Supreme Court Composition and Appointment
- Composed of one chief justice and eight associate justices.
- Justices nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
- Solicitor General represents the federal government in Supreme Court proceedings.
Other Important Concepts
- Senatorial Courtesy: President consults with state senators before nominating federal judicial candidates.
- Most legal cases in the U.S. are managed at the state level.
- Both civil and criminal matters are heard in state and federal courts, with federal courts taking state cases if they involve federal questions.
- Precedent significantly influences the ongoing functioning of the judicial system.
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering Chapter 13 on Courts. Each card offers key terms and definitions related to the judiciary's role and functions. Perfect for reviewing concepts like judicial review and appellate jurisdiction.