Judicial Review and Federal Court System

Judicial Review and Constitutionality

• Supreme Court can rule on the constitutionality of laws through judicial review, allowing it to strike down unconstitutional laws.
• Judicial review was established in Marbury v. Madison, asserting the Constitution as the supreme law and defining the court's role in upholding it.

Roles of Federal Attorneys and Judges

• U.S. Attorneys represent the government in federal court cases, ensuring adherence to federal laws.
• Federal judges have lifetime tenure to prevent external influences, like public opinion, from affecting their decisions.

Appeals Courts and their Decisions

• Appeals courts can uphold, remand, or overturn lower court decisions, maintaining a system of checks.
• They serve to review and confirm the correct application of law in prior cases.

Supreme Court Decisions

• The ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson legitimized segregation, establishing "separate but equal" as a legal doctrine.
• Worcester v. Georgia exemplifies the limitations of the Supreme Court when an executive branch ignores its rulings.

Court Types and Jurisdictions

• District Courts handle civil and criminal trials, possessing original jurisdiction to hear cases first.
• Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over interstate disputes and cases involving foreign diplomats.
• Appellate jurisdiction allows higher courts to review lower court decisions, while concurrent jurisdiction permits both state and federal courts to hear certain cases.

Court Proceedings and Legal Terms

• Briefs are written arguments submitted by lawyers in Supreme Court cases.
• Dockets outline a court's schedule, displaying cases set for hearing.
• Terms like "precedent" and "stare decisis" are pivotal in maintaining legal consistency, ensuring that earlier decisions influence current rulings.

Court Opinions

• Distinctions exist between various types of opinions:
  • Majority Opinion reflects the view of most justices.
  • Concurring Opinion agrees with the majority but offers different reasoning.
  • Dissenting Opinion expresses disagreement with the majority ruling.
  • Unanimous Opinion indicates complete agreement among justices.

Key Legal Concepts

• Judicial review permits courts to nullify laws that contradict the Constitution, reinforcing the principle of legality.
• Original jurisdiction is the authority of trial courts to hear cases first, establishing essential facts in legal disputes.
• Writs of certiorari are formal requests for the Supreme Court to review a case, allowing it to selectively hear significant legal issues.

Limits on the Supreme Court

• The legislative branch holds the power to limit the Supreme Court's capabilities and jurisdiction, maintaining checks and balances within the government structure.

This quiz explores the critical concepts of judicial review, the roles of federal attorneys and judges, as well as the function of appeals courts in the U.S. legal system. Understand landmark Supreme Court decisions and their implications on law and society. Test your knowledge on how these elements interact within the framework of constitutional law.