| A | B |
|---|
| inferior courts | the lower federal courts; beneath the supreme |
| jurisdiction | the authority of a court to hear a case |
| exclusive jurisdiction | power of the federal courts ALONE to hear certain cases |
| concurrent jurisdiction | power SHARED by federal and state court to hear cases |
| plaintiff | in civil law, the party who brings a suit or action against another in court |
| defendant | in a civil suit, the person against whome a court action is brought; person charged with crime |
| original jurisdiction | the power of a court to hear a case FIRST before any other court |
| appellate jurisdiction | the authority of a court to review decisions of inferior courts |
| criminal case | a case in which a defendant is tried for committing a crime |
| civil case | a case involving a noncriminal matter such as a contract dispute |
| docket | a court list of cases to be heard |
| writ of certiorari | an order by a higher court directing a lower ct to send records for review |
| certificate | method of putting a case before supreme ct; certifies an answer to a question |
| majority opinion | announces the court's decision in a case and sets out reasoning |
| majority opinion official name | opinion of the court |
| precedent | court decision that stands as an ecample for future cases |
| concurring opinion | written explanation of the view of one or more judges who support a decision but what to add or emphasize a point |
| dissenting opinion | written explanation of teh views of judges who disagree with a decision |
