| A | B |
|---|
| What is a dual court system | Federal and state courts |
| What are inferior courts? | All courts below the Supreme Court |
| What are Constitutional Courts? | These exercise the judicial power of the United States |
| Jurisdiction | The authority of a court to hear a case and decide the outcome |
| Subject matter jurisdiction | A court has authority to hear claims involving a particular issue |
| exclusive jurisdiction | Case can be heard only in federal (or state) court--not both |
| Concurrent jurisdiction | Case can be heard in either federal or state court |
| Original jurisdiction | The court in which a case is first heard |
| Appellate jurisdiction | the jurisdiction of a higher court reviewing an appeal from a lower court |
| How long do Article III judges serve? | For life as long as good behavior |
| Why do Article III judges serve for life? | So they will be independent of political pressure |
| Name 2 other kinds of judges besides Article III judges | Magistrate judges and Bankruptcy judges |
| What are the 3 levels of the federal court system from bottom to top? | District court, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court |
| What kind of jurisdiction do the district courts have over most cases? | District courts have original jurisdiction |
| Which courts are the main trial courts? | District courts are the main trial courts |
| What two kinds of cases do district courts hear? | Civil (private parties) and criminal (offenses against the state) |
| Grand jury | This kind of jury formally charges defendants in criminal cases |
| What is an indictment? | A formal criminal charge against a defendant |
| Petit jury | The type of jury that listens to the evidence in a trial and gives a verdict |
| What kind of jurisdiction do the Courts of Appeals have? | They have only appellate jurisdiction |
| How are the Courts of Appeals divided up? | They are divided into 12 circuits |
| Which Circuit is Kentucky in? | The 6th Circuit |
| Which is the only court created by the Constitution? | The Supreme Court |
| In what 2 types of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction? | Cases where a state is a party and cases involving ambassadors, etc. |
| Most of the Supreme Court's jurisdiction is what kind? | Appellate jurisdiction |
| Who is the Chief Justice? | John Roberts |
| Name the 3 female Supreme Court Justices. | Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan |
| Does the Supreme Court have to take most cases? | No, the Supreme Court doesn't have to take most cases. |
| What is a writ of certiorari, or cert petition? | The filing you make to try to get the Supreme Court to take your case |
| In what 2 situations does the Supreme Court most often take cases? | (1) Cases raising an important Constitutional issue; and (2) Where there is a serious problem in interpreting a law |
| What is the name of the written document filed with the Supreme Court? | Briefq |
| What is the name for briefs written by people who aren't involved in the case? | Amicus curiae briefs |
| What do we call it when lawyers verbally try to persuade the Justices to rule in their favor? | Oral argument |
| How does the Supreme Court decide cases? | In a conference |
| How does the Supreme Court announce the result? | In an opinion |
| What do we call the part of the opinion that announces what the Supreme Court decided? | Majority opinion |
| What do we call the part of the opinion in which justices disagree with the majority? | Dissenting opinion |
| What do we call the part of the opinion where justices give a different reason for agreeing with the majority? | Concurring opinion |
| What is judicial review? | The power of the Supreme Court to determine the Constitutionality of a law |
| What case established the principle of judicial review? | Marbury v. Madison |
| What do we call similar cases on the same issue which have previously been decided? | Precedent |
