Chapter 9 The Judicial Branch

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Judicial Branch

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Article III; interprets the laws.

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Dual Court System

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A court system made up of both federal and state courts.

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Supreme Court

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Consists of nine justices, each appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Appointment is for life. Supreme Court exercises the power to determine constitutionality of statutes.

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Judicial Review

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Grants power the courts to determine the constitutionality of laws.

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Marbury v. Madison (1803)

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This case establishes the Supreme Court's power of judicial review.

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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

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Established national supremacy; established implied powers; use of elastic clause; state unable to tax fed. Institution; John Marshall; 'the power to tax involves the power to destroy.'

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Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

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The Supreme Court upheld broad congressional power to regulate interstate commerce. The Court's broad interpretation of the Constitution's commerce clause paved the way for later rulings upholding expansive federal powers.

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Civil Law

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A law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights.

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Criminal Law

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Codes of behavior related to the protection of property and individual safety.

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Majority Opinion of the Supreme Court

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A decision of the Supreme Court that represents the agreed-on compromise judgement of all the justices in the majority.