Article III

Creates the judicial branch and gives the supreme court power to interpret the law.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case first

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear and review decisions made by a lower court in that system.

Federalist No. 78

Argument by Alexander Hamilton that the federal judiciary would be unlikely to infringe upon rights and liberties but would serve as a check on the other two branches.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Created the federal court system and established lower courts under the supreme court

Good Behavior

Federal judges can serve for life as long as they do not commit serious crimes.

Senatorial Courtesy

The tradition that the home-state senators can reject a judge nominee if they don't approve.

Judiciary Act of 1801

Reduced the number of supreme court justices and created new federal judgeship, allowing the outgoing part to appoint more judges.

Marbury v. Madison

Case that established judicial review over federal laws.

John Marshall

The 4th chief justice who strengthened the power of the supreme court and federal government.

Judicial Review

The authority of the supreme court to strike down a law or executive action if it conflicts with the constitution.

Criminal Law

A category of law covering actions that harm the community.

Civil Law

A category of law covering cases involving private rights and relationships between individuals and groups.

Federal District Courts

The lowest level of federal judiciary; these courts usually have original jurisdiction in case that start at the federal level.

Federal Courts of Appeals

The middle level of the federal judiciary; these courts review and hear appeals from the federal district courts.

Writ of Certiorari

Supreme court agrees to hear and review a case.

Precedent

A judicial decision that guides future courts in handling similar cases.

Stare Decisis

the practice of letting a previous legal decision stand.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Friend of the court, try to influence the precedential effect of the court's ruling.

Majority Opinion

A binding supreme court opinion, which serves as a precedent for Future cases.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority decision, offering different or additional reasoning, that does not serve as precedent.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion that disagrees with the majority opinion and does not serve as precedent

Judicial Restraint

A philosophy that judges should avoid creating new policy changes.

Judicial Activism

A philosophy of constitutional interpretation that justices should wield the power of judicial review, sometimes creating bold new policies.