Class action suits
a small group of people sueing a large group of people
Justiciable disputes
a constraint on the courts requiring case be capable of being settled by legal methods
Amicus Curiae
Friend of the Court" file briefs or even appear to argue their interest orally before the court.
Original Jurisdiction
courts that hear a case first , usually in trial.
Appellate Jurisdiction
The power vested in an appeallate court to review and/or revise the decesion of a lower court
Concurrent Jurisdiction
the ability to exercise judicial review by different courts at the same time, within the same territory, and over the same subject matter.
District Courts
The lower courts hearing cases along the lines of bankruptcy & civil suits under federal law.
Courts of Appeals
intermediate appeallate courts in the federal system.
Senatorial Courtesy
deferring selection of district court judges to the choice of senators of their own party and represent that state.
Stare Decisis
decesion made based on precedents
Precedents
prior judicial decesion that serves as a rule for settling subsequent cases of similar nature.
Original Intent
Is a method of constitutional and legal interpretation that seeks to discern the original meaning of the words being construed
Judicial Implementation
whether judicial decesions are translated into actual public policies
Judicial Review
power of the courts to review acts of other branches of government and the states
Judicial Restraint
courts should allow the decesions of other branches to stand
Judicial Activisim
Court should play a role in shaping national policies
Political question
an issue that a court believes should be decided by the executive or legislative branch
Statutory Construction
judicial interpretation of an act of Congress, sometimes results in passing new legislation
Civil Law
Body of law dealing with private rights of individuals
Borked
to reject a nominee due to ideological reasons
Cases of Equity
those cases that cannot be resolved by common law; judges may be asked to issue injunctions or award damages
Concurring Opinion
a signed opinion in which one or more members agree with the majority view but for different reasons
Dissenting Opinion
an opinion disagreeing with the majority decision in a Supreme Court ruling
Majority Opinion
a court opinion reflecting the views of the majority of the judges
Oral Argument
An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.
Senate Confirmation
the process outlined in Article Two of the Constitution, giving the Senate the authority to approve appointments made by the president
Writ of Certiorari
a request fro the Cout to order up records from a lower court to review the case
Rule of Four
At least four justices of the Supreme Court must vote to consider a case before it can be heard.
Bills of Attainder
Prohibits a person being found guilty of a crime without a trial
Cetificate
when lower court as the higher court to answer specific question in the matter