Legal and Judicial Terms

Front

Amicus Curiae

Back

An argument filed with a court by an individual or group who is not a party to a lawsuit

Front

Stare Decisis

Back

When a court follows precedent by letting a previous decision stand

Front

Original Intent

Back

Making judicial decisions by considering what the founding fathers meant in the Constitution

Front

Judicial Review

Back

The power of the Supreme Court to overturn a law or executive action as unconstitutional

Front

Judicial Activism

Back

A philosophy that the Supreme Court should make bold new policy

Front

Writ of Certiorari

Back

A document issued by the Supreme Court if it has agreed to hear a case

Front

Litigation

Back

A lawsuit

Front

Rule of Four

Back

A practice that permits a minority of the nine justices to grant a writ of certiorari

Front

Selective Incorporation

Back

The process by which the Bill of Rights has been applied to the states on a case-by-case basis through the Fourteenth Amendment

Front

Suffrage

Back

The right to vote