Mini Unit 7 Flashcards

Front

Definition of a criminal case

Back

A criminal case involves a legal proceeding in which the government prosecutes an individual for an act classified as a crime.

Front

Definition of a civil case

Back

A civil case involves a legal dispute between two or more parties seeking monetary damages or specific performance rather than criminal sanctions.

Front

Role of an appellate court

Back

An appellate court reviews the decisions of lower courts to determine if legal errors were made that could affect the outcome of the case.

Front

Significance of Marbury vs. Madison (1803)

Back

Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

Front

Significance of McCulloch vs. Maryland (1819)

Back

Confirmed the supremacy of federal over state law and upheld the implied powers of Congress.

Front

Significance of United States vs. Nixon (1974)

Back

Reaffirmed the principle that no one, not even the President, is above the law, leading to the release of the Watergate tapes.

Front

Significance of the Supreme Court's decision in University of California vs. Bakke (1978)

Back

The decision upheld affirmative action, allowing race to be one of several factors in college admission policy.

Front

Significance of the Supreme Court's decision in Adarand Constructors vs. Peña (1995)

Back

The decision held that racial classifications must be analyzed under a standard of "strict scrutiny."

Front

Significance of the Supreme Court's decision in United States vs. Virginia (1996)

Back

The decision struck down the male-only admission policy of the Virginia Military Institute, promoting gender equality.

Front

Role of a Chief Justice in the Supreme Court

Back

The Chief Justice presides over the Supreme Court's public sessions and private conferences.