Judicial Branch Terms

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Judicial review

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The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution.

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Original Jurisdiction

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The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.

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Appellate Jurisdiction

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The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.

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Concurrent Jurisdiction

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When two or more courts have the authority to hear the same case.

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Litigation

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The process of taking legal action or resolving disputes in court.

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Testimony

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A formal written or spoken statement given in a court of law.

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Constitutional law

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The body of law that interprets and applies the constitution.

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Precedent

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A legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule in future similar cases.

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Majority Opinion

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The official decision of a court with a majority of the judges

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Concurring opinion

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An opinion that agrees with the majority decision but offers different reasoning.