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Judiciary Flashcards

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595571637Article IIIof the United States Constitution establishes the judicial branch of the federal government. The judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court of the United States and lower courts as created by Congress0
595571638Judicial reviewreview by a court of law of actions of a government official or entity or of some other legally appointed person or body or the review by an appellate court of the decision of a trial court1
595571639Strict-constructionist approachthe view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of the laws and the Constitution2
595571640Activist approachthe view that judges should discern the general principles underlying laws or the constitution and apply them to modern circumstances3
595571641Marbury v. MadisonThe 1803 case in which Chief Justice John Marshall and his associates first asserted the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. The decision established the Court's power of judicial review over acts of Congress, (the Judiciary Act of 1789).4
595571642McCulloch v. Maryland1819, Cheif justice john marshall limits of the US constition and of the authority of the federal and state govts. one side was opposed to establishment of a national bank and challenged the authority of federal govt to establish one. supreme court ruled that power of federal govt was supreme that of the states and the states couldnt interfere5
595571643John MarshallChief Justice of the Supreme Court appointed by John Adams6
595571644Dred Scott case1857 Supreme court case that developed the fact that slaves were property not persons entitled to constitutional rights. It was the second Supreme Court decision to declare a law unconstitutional- Missouri Compromise7
595571645"Court-packing" billFDR tried to appoint supreme court officials to make the supreme court more democratic in order to pass more bills, unconstitutional8
595571646sovereign immunityThe rule that a citizen cannot sue the government without the government's consent9
595571647constitutional courtA federal court authorized by Article III of the Constitution that keeps judges in office during good behavior and prevents their salaries from being reduced. They are the Supreme Court (created by the Constitution) and appellate and district courts created by Congress10
595571648district courtsLowest level of fed. courts, where fed. cases begin &trials are held (bank robbery, environmental violations, tax evasion)11
595571649courts of appealsfederal courts that hear appeals from district courts; no trials12
595571650legislative courtA lower federal court created by Congress for specialized purposes. These justices have fixed terms of office, can be removed from office, and may have their salaries reduced while in office.13
595571651senatorial courtesyPresidential custom of submitting the names of prospective appointees for approval to senators from the states in which the appointees are to work.14
595571652litmus testan examination of the political ideology of a nominated judge15
595571653jurisdiction(n.) an area of authority or control; the right to administer justice16
595571654federal-question casesCases concerning the Constitution, federal statutes, or treaties.17
595571655diversity casesCases involving citizens of different states who can bring suit in federal courts.18
595571656writ of habeas corpusa court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person19
595571657writ of certiorariOrder by the Supreme Court directing a lower court to send up the records of a case for review20
595571658writ of mandamusan extraordinary writ commanding an official to perform a ministerial act that the law recognizes as an absolute duty and not a matter for the official's discretion21
595571660Stare DecisisLet the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases22
595571661informa pauperisA procedure whereby a poor person can file and be heard in court as a pauper, free of charge.23
595571664fee shiftinga rule that allows a plaintiff to recover costs from the defendant if the plaintiff wins24
595571666plaintiffa person who brings an action in a court of law25
595571667standinga legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit26
595571669class-action suita case brought by someone to help him or her and all others who are similarly situated27
595571671remedya judicial order enforcing a right or redressing a wrong28
595571673briefA written statement by an attorney that summarizes a case and the laws and rulings that support it29
595571675amicus curiae briefa brief presented by someone interested in influencing the outcome of a lawsuit but who is not a party to it30
595571677judicial activisman interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court)31
595571678judicial restraintview that the courts should reject any active lawmaking functions and stick to judicial interpretations of the past32
595571679Chief Justice (Conservative)John Roberts33
595571680Justice (Liberal)Elena Kagan34
595571681Justice (Liberal)Sonya Sotomayor35
595571682Justice (Swing Vote)Anthony Kennedy36
595571683Justice (Conservative)Antonin Scalia37
595571684Justice (Liberal)Ruth Bader Ginsburg38
595571685Justice (Conservative)Clarence Thomas39
595571686Justice (Conservative)Samuel Alito40
595571687Justice (Liberal)Steven Breyer41
595571688US Attorney GeneralEric Holder42
595571689US Solicitor GeneralDonald Verrilli, Jr43
595571690Constitutional Courts (Article 3)US Supreme Court, Appeals Courts, District Courts44
595571691Legislative Courts (Article 1)Tax Court, Court of Int'l Trade, Court of Military Appeals45
595571692Selection CriteriaPolitical Ideology, Party & Personal Loyalties, Senate Acceptability, Judicial Experience, Race, Gender46
595571693Senatorial Courtesyget the blessing of the Senator from the state where the opening is if from your party47
595571694National Supremacy PeriodMarbury v. Madison (1803) - Judicial Review McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - Nat'l Supremacy and Implied Powers48
595571695State SovereigntyDred Scott (1857)49
595571696Government and Economy1870s - 1930s50
595571697Government and Political LibertyWarren - Burger51
595571698Revival of State SovereigntyRehnquist - Roberts52
595571699Power to Make PolicyJudicial Review, Stare Decisis, Remedy53
595571700Rule of 4need four votes to grant cert54
595571701Chain of EventsFile Writ of Cert, Rule of 4, File briefs, Amicus Curiae Briefs filed, Oral Arguments, private initial vote, write opinions, final vote and announcement.55
595571702Adversarial nature of the CourtSomeone wins, someone loses. (plaintiff vs. defendant)56
595571703Supreme Court SessionOctober to June57
595571704Checks on Judicial PowerPrez. Power to appoint, Senatorial Courtesy, Senate Approval, Impeachment, number of courts, number of judges, no power to enforce, reversals, jurisdiction, public opinion58

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