AP Govt Latin Terms

"Friend of the Court", Briefs filed before oral arguments, case discussion or opinion by interested third party. Usually these briefs are filed by special interest groups.

• Amicus Curiae

• De Facto

• De Jure

• en banc

a Latin expression that means "in fact" or "in practice" but not spelled out by law.

• Amicus Curiae

• en banc

• Habeas Corpus

• De Facto

Literally..... "by law". An example would be Jim Crow laws of the South before the civil rights movement of the 1960's.

• De Jure

• en banc

• Per Curiam

• Pro Bono

"In the bench" or "full bench." Refers to court sessions with the entire membership of a court participating rather than the usual quorum.

• en banc

• De Jure

• Amicus Curiae

• De Facto

This is the name of a legal action through which a person can seek relief from unlawful detention of themselves or another person. This concept has historically been an important instrument for the safeguarding of individual freedom against arbitrary state action.

• Habeas Corpus

• en banc

• Subpoena

• Writ

Short, unsigned decisions, no precedents. This is used when the Supreme Court decides unanimously 9-0 and does not issue a written opinion.

• Per Curiam

• Pro Bono

• Subpoena

• De Jure

phrase derived from Latin meaning "for the public good." The term is sometimes used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment, as a public service.

• Pro Bono

• Subpoena

• Stare Decisis

• Veto

"a command to appear at a certain time and place to give testimony upon a certain matter."

• Subpoena

• Pro Bono

• Veto

• Writ of certiorari

Literally "let the decision stand", to uphold precedent, the decision stands. Typically many Supreme Court cases are decided in this manner.

• Stare Decisis

• Subpoena

• Veto

• Writ

Literally "I forbid". It is a power of the executive branch of the United States Government. It is a specific example of a check of the executive on the legislative branch's power.

• Veto

• Writ

• Writ of certiorari

• Writ of mandamus