Circuit
the area of jurisdiction of a federal court of appeals
Jurisdiction
a court's authority to hear and decide cases
Exclusive Jurisdiction
authority of only federal courts to hear and decide cases
Concurrent Jurisdiction
authority for both state and federal courts to hear and decide cases
District court
federal court where trials are held and lawsuits are begin
Original jurisdiction
the authority to hear cases for the first time
Appeals court
a court that reviews decisions made in lower district courts
Appellate jurisdiction
the authority of a court to hear a case appealed from a lower court
Remand
to send a case back to a lower court to be tried again
Opinion
a detailed explanation of the legal thinking behind a court's decision in a case
Precedent
a ruling that is used as the basis for judicial decision in a later, similar case
Judicial review
the power of the Supreme Court to say whether any federal, state, or local law or government action goes against the Constitution
Constitutional
in accordance with the Constitution
Docket
a court's calendar, showing the schedule of cases it is to hear
Brief
a written document explaining the position of one side or the other in a case
Majority opinion
a statement that presents the views of the majority of Supreme Courts justices regarding a case
Unanimous opinion
the Supreme Court rules on a case in which all justices agree on the ruling
Concurring opinion
a statement written by a justice who votes with the majority, but for different reasons
Dissenting opinion
a statement written by a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion, presenting his or her opinion
Stare decisis
the practice of using earlier judicial rulings as a basis for deciding cases