Judicial Branch Vocab

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Jurisdiction

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The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

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Restraint

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Judicial restraint is a theory of judicial interpretation that encourages judges to limit the exercise of their own power.

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Activism

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Judicial activism refers to judicial rulings that are suspected of being based on personal opinion, rather than on existing law.

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Opinion (as it applies to the courts)

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A statement by a judge or a court of the decision reached in regard to a case tried or argued before it.

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Dissent

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The expression or holding of opinions at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially held.

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Concur

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To agree with a decision or opinion.

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Precedent

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A legal case that establishes a principle or rule that is followed by other courts.

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Stare Decisis

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The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

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Docket

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A court's list of cases to be heard.

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Brief (as it applies to the courts)

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A written statement submitted in a trial or appellate proceeding that explains one side's legal and factual arguments.