| A | B |
|---|
| write of certiorari | an order from the supreme court to a lower court to send up the records on a case for review |
| per curiam opinion | a brief unsigned statement of a supreme court decision |
| brief | a written statement setting forth the legal arguments, relevant facts and precedents supporting one side a of a case |
| amicus curiae | latin for "friend or court" a written brief from an individual or group claming to have information useful to a court's consideration of a case. |
| majority opinion | the courts decision expressing the views of the majority of justices |
| dissenting opinion | the opinion expressed by a minority of justices in a court case |
| judicial review | the power of the supreme court to declare laws and actions of local, state or national government |
| impound | refuse to spend |
| state decisis | the principle that once the court rules on a case its decision serves as a precedent on which the base to other decisions |
| precedent | a model on which to base later decisions or actions |
| advisory opinion | a ruling on a law or action that has not been challenged. |
| bloc | coalition that promotes a common interest |
| swing vote | the deciding vote |
