Front

A court's authority to hear and decide cases.

Back

jurisdiction

Front

What is a District Court?

Back

A District Court is a federal court where trials are held and lawsuits are begun.

Front

What is an Appeals Court?

Back

An Appeals Court is a court that reviews decisions made by lower district courts.

Front

What is a circuit?

Back

The area of jurisdiction of a federal court of appeals.

Front

What does it mean to remand a court case?

Back

To send a court case back to a lower court to be tried again.

Front

What is an opinion?

Back

A formal statement by a judge explaining the legal reasoning behind a court's decision in a case.

Front

A ruling that is used as the basis for a judicial decision in a later, similar case.

Back

Precedent

Front

When something is in accordance with the Constitution.

Back

Constitutional

Front

A written document explaining the position of one side or the other in a case.

Back

Brief

Front

What is Stare Decisis?

Back

Stare Decisis is the practice of using earlier judicial rulings as a basis for deciding cases.