Judicial Branch

member of the US Supreme Court

• Justice
• Civil Court
• Criminal Court
• US Appellate Court

Highest Court in the United States.

• US Supreme Court
• Rule of Law
• Chief Justice
• Justice

A request made after a trial, asking a higher court to decide whether or not the trial was conducted correctly. If the court decides the trial was not conducted properly then the case will be retried in a trial court.

• Appeal
• Trial Court
• US Appellate Court
• Judicial Review

The ability of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional. The right was confirmed (approved) in the Court Case Marbury vs. Madison in 1803.

• Judicial Review
• precedent
• Original Jurisdiction
• Marbury V. Madison

The right of a court to hear a case. This is based on location and type of crime committed. For instance Citrus County courts can only hear cases dealing with crimes committed inside Citrus County, and not dealing with federal or state laws.

• Jurisdiction
• Rule of Law
• Criminal Court
• Constitutional Law

The power of any one court to hear a case first.

• Original Jurisdiction
• precedent
• Appeal
• US Supreme Court

A document that states a higher court will hear the appeal of a lower court's decision. Supreme Court will only hear cases with a writ being accepted and applied for.

• Writ of Certiorari
• Rule of Law
• Jury
• Jurisdiction

A decision reached by most of the members of the Supreme Court. It states the reasons why they agreed to the outcome of the cases.

• Majority Opinion
• US District Court
• Marbury V. Madison
• Civil Court

This is written statement by the judges who did not agree with the outcome and write the reasons why they disagreed with the decision of the Supreme Court.

• Dissenting Opinion
• Defendent
• Justice
• US Supreme Court

the local, state, or federal court that is the first to hear a civil or criminal case. This involves hearing arguments from both sides, and sometimes involves a jury.

• Trial Court
• Original Jurisdiction
• US Appellate Court
• Civil Court