Media Law and the U.S. Court System

The practice of filing lawsuits, especially in increasing numbers.

Rules or principles established by courts through past decisions.

The power of courts to interpret and apply laws, including the Constitution.

A document outlining fundamental rights and governing principles.

The ability of courts to strike down laws that conflict with the Constitution.

The process of making decisions based on previous rulings in similar cases.

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

The principle that laws passed by legislatures or Congress are subject to judicial review and interpretation.

A panel of all the judges serving on a particular circuit court, convened to reconsider a case previously decided by a smaller panel of judges.

A situation where two different circuit courts reach conflicting rulings on the same legal issue.

The precedent set by a circuit court's majority opinion, binding on lower courts within its jurisdiction.

The decision reached by a circuit court's majority opinion.

Decisions made by circuit courts that are second only in importance to U.S. Supreme Court rulings on federal issues.

The power of a circuit court to reach its own conclusions on issues of law, as long as they do not conflict with Supreme Court rulings.

Precedents set by other circuit courts that carry considerable weight and are often followed, but not binding.

The role of the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene and establish a uniform rule of law when circuit courts disagree.

A specialized court system designed to handle specific types of cases, such as those involving federal trade or communications.

Agencies within the federal government that regulate specific industries or activities.

The highest court in the United States, responsible for interpreting and applying federal laws and the Constitution.

The process by which the Supreme Court decides whether to hear a case, usually accepting only a small percentage of petitions.

The formal written opinion of the Supreme Court on a case, setting legal precedent for lower courts.

The Supreme Court strives to hear cases that raise significant legal questions, correct clear errors by lower courts, and resolve contradictory decisions between lower courts.

Even if the Supreme Court declines to hear a case, it doesn't automatically imply agreement with the lower court's decision.

The judges who serve in federal courts below the Supreme Court, whose appointments can sometimes be politically contentious.

The authority of a court to hear and decide a specific type of case.

The power of state courts to handle all legal issues not specifically assigned to federal courts.

Matters that fall under the authority of the federal government, as defined by the Constitution.

A court system where the highest court also acts as an intermediate appellate court, handling both trials and appeals.

Courts that review decisions made by lower courts, focusing on legal errors rather than retrying the case.

Lower-level courts that handle minor legal disputes, such as traffic violations or petty offenses.

The division of legal power between federal and state governments, creating separate court systems.

The process by which courts determine the appropriate level of government (federal or state) to hear a case.

When the Supreme Court declines to hear a case, the lower court's ruling remains in effect but it doesn't become Supreme Court precedent.

The Supreme Court only hears cases that four of the nine justices vote to review.

The first court to hear a case, such as disputes between states or cases involving foreign diplomats.

A formal request from the Supreme Court to a lower court to send up the case records for review.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case.

The Supreme Court has decided not to hear a case.

Cases where a lower federal court or a state's highest court declares an Act of Congress unconstitutional. The Supreme Court must review these.

Cases where the losing party in the lower courts has an automatic right to appeal to the Supreme Court.

A type of legal case where the plaintiff and defendant are citizens of different states, and the amount in dispute exceeds a certain threshold.

A legal requirement for diversity jurisdiction cases, meaning that all parties on one side of the lawsuit must be from different states than all parties on the other side.

The federal government's exclusive control over certain legal matters, where state laws in these areas are invalid.

Legal areas where both federal and state governments can enact laws, as long as state laws don't conflict with federal ones.

The federal law that protects trademarks of businesses engaged in interstate commerce.

The ability for one party to move a lawsuit from state court to federal court, typically when diversity jurisdiction or a federal question is involved.

The minimum amount of money in dispute required for a federal court to hear a diversity jurisdiction case.