Practice of the Supreme Court in which it will not intervene on an issue and will allow the executive and legislative branches decide.

An examination of the political ideology of a nominated judge

An approach to constitutional interpretation that allows the federal government to take actions that the constitution does not specifically forbid it from taking, the belief that judges should have freedom in interpreting the Constitution, allows for broad interpretation of the Constitution

The view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of the laws and the Constitution.

The view that judges should discern the general principles underlying laws or the Constitution and apply them to modern circumstances.

A case decided by the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Marshall in 1803. The Court declared unanimously that a certain law passed by Congress should not be enforced, because the law was opposed to the Constitution. Established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review.

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review, this is how the decides which cases it wants to hear.

Latin phrase meaning "let the decision stand", or allowing prior rulings to control the current case.

Latin phrase translating to "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual, organization, or interest group to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.

A brief, unsigned opinion issued by the Supreme Court to explain its ruling.

A signed opinion of a majority of the Supreme Court.

A signed opinion in which one or more members agree with the majority view but for different reasons.

A signed opinion in which one or more justices disagree with the majority view, not legally binding on lower courts, but can impact future decisions.

Argument made that a limited Constitution requires an independent judiciary to check legislative actions; courts have a duty to make sure laws adhere to the Constitution and if the laws do not, declare them null and void; least powerful of the three branches, because there's no power of the purse or sword (no power to enforce or carry out decisions).

A legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit.

Serves a check on the courts in that court rulings usually need to be in step with public opinion.

A judicial order enforcing a right or redressing a wrong.

Private meeting of Supreme Court Justices in which they discuss cases and vote to render a decision.

The stage in Supreme Court proceedings in which attorneys for both sides appear before the Court to present their positions and answer questions posed by the justices, each side is limited to 30 minutes.

A written statement by an attorney that summarizes a case and the laws and rulings that support it.

Assist Supreme Court justices by reading appeals filed with the court and write memos summarizing the key issues in each case and they help prepare opinions by doing research and writing first drafts.

Justice that chairs the conferences, sets the agenda, and assigns who will write opinions.

Justice Department officer who argues the government's cases before the Supreme Court.

Number of U.S. District Courts, each state has at least 1.

Number of U.S. Courts of Appeals (Circuit Courts).

Approximate number of cases that the Supreme Court agrees to hear in any given year.

Approximate number of cases that are appealed tot the Supreme Court each year.

Current Number of Supreme Court Justices on the Court.

Who is the current Chief Justice off the Supreme Court

What is the term length for Supreme Court Justices as well as all other Federal Judges?

A person who brings a case (complaint) against another in a court of law (civil cases).

An individual or group being sued by a plaintiff or charged with a crime by a prosecutor (civil or criminal cases).

A government body that brings charges against a person accused of breaking the law (criminal cases).

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

Laws concerned with offenses against the public and society in general, related to the breaking of statute.

Laws relating to the interpretation and application of the Constitution.

The highest court of the United States; it sits at the top of the federal court system, has both appellate and original jurisdiction.

Federal courts that hear appeals from district courts, no juries, decisions made by panels of appointed judges, court of appellate jurisdiction.

The lowest federal courts, federal trials can be held only here, court of original jurisdiction.

The authority of courts to hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case.

The jurisdiction of courts that hear cases brought to them on appeal from lower courts. These courts do not review the facts of the case, only the legal issues involved.

How many justices must agree to hear to case before it is granted a writ of cert?

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