| A | B |
|---|
| affirm | In an appeal, when the Appeals Court upholds the original decision of the trial court. The decision of the court remains the same. |
| appeal | To ask a higher court to review your case and check for mistakes. Essentially, to have a second opinion on your case. |
| appellate courts | Courts that ONLY hear appeals. These courts never hear trials and only check previous cases for mistakes. Appellate Courts use a panel of judges, never juries. |
| bench trial | A trial where ONLY a judge decides the outcome of the case. The judge determines the verdict, and presides over the courtroom |
| civil case | A case involving the violation of someone’s rights. |
| criminal case | A case involving the breaking of the law. Criminal cases occur when a crime has been committed and an individual has been charged |
| evidence | Items used to prove truth, or fact in a case. |
| federal court system | Courts that interpret NATIONAL laws. The Federal Court System consists of the US District Courts, the US Courts of Appeals, and the US Supreme Court |
| judicial review | The Supreme Court’s power to declare a law UNCONSTITUTIONAL (it goes against what the Constitution says). Judicial Review allows the Supreme Court to Overturn (toss, trash, get rid of) an unconstitutional law. The power of Judicial Review was established by Marbury vs. Madison. |
| jury trial | A trial in which a JURY (a group of 12 regular, unbiased citizens) decide the outcome of the case |
| jurisdiction | The AUTHORITY to enforce the law or hear a court case. |
| remand | In an appeal, when the appellate court sends the case BACK to the trial court for a REDO |
| reverse | In an appeal, when the appellate court REVERSES (changes) the decision of the trial court |
| state court system | Courts that interpret STATE laws. The VA State Court System consists of Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, General District Courts, Circuit Courts, the VA Courts of Appeals, and the VA Supreme Court |
| subpoena | An official summons to appear in court. |
| Supreme Court | The highest court in the land. All decisions made by the US Supreme Court are FINAL. There is one US Supreme Court at the top of the Federal Court System and one VA Supreme Court at the top of the State Court System |
| trial (district) court | Lower level courts that always hear trials (never appeals). Trial courts always hear the case first (Original Jurisdiction). |
| verdict | The DECISION of the court; the outcome of the case |
