the branch of law that deals with disputes that do not involve criminal penalties

the individual or organization that brings a complaint to court

the one against whom a complaint is brought in a criminal or civil case

a prior case whose principles are used by judges as a basis for their decision in a present case

the first court to hear a criminal or civil case

a court that hears appeals of trial court decisions

a negotiated agreement in a criminal case in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for the state's agreement to reduce the severitty of the criminal charge or prison sentence the defendant is facing

the sphere of a court's power and authority

the authority to initially consider a case; distinguished from appellate jurisdiction, which is the authority to hear appeals froma lowerr court's decision

the right of every individual against arbitrary action by national or state governments

a court order that the individual in custody be brought into court and shown the cause for detention; guaranteed by the Constitution and can be suspended only in cases of rebellion or invasion

justice of the Supreme Court who presides over the Court's public sessions

the power of the courts to review actions of the legislative and executive branches and, if necessary, declare them invalid or unconstitutional

Article VI of the Constitution, which states that laws passed by the national government and all treaties are the supreme law of the land and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision

the right of an individual or organization to initiate a court case, on the basis of having a substantial stake in the outcome

a criterion used by courts to screen cases that no longer require resolution

a decison of at least four of the nine Supreme Court justices to review a decision of a lower court. "to make more certain"

the top government lawyer in all cases before the Supreme Court where the government is a party

literally, "friend of the court"; individuals or groups who are not parties to a lawsuit but who seek to assist the Supreme Court in reaching a decision by presenting additional briefs

written documents in which attorneys explain, using case precedents, why the court should find in favor of their client

the stage in the Supreme Court procedure in which attorneys for both sides appear before the Court to present their positions and answer questions posed by the justices

a written opinion by a judge agreeing with the majority opinion but giving different reasons for his or her decision

a decision written by a justice in the minority in a particular case, in which the justice wishes to express his or her reasoning in the case

judicial philosophy whose adherents refuse to go beyond the clear words of the Constitution in interpreting the document's meaning

judicial philosophy that posits that the Court should go beyond to words of the Constitution or a statute to consider the broader societal implications of it s decisions

What type of court hears cases dealing with trafffic accidents?

What type of courts solves disagreements between tenants and landlords?

Which type of court hears cases involving wills?

Which type of court handles cases about family issues?

Which type of court handles cases about the U.S. Constitution?

Which type of court handles cases involving two different states?

This court hears cases about appeals from the 13 US District Court

What is the term of office for a MN justice?

How many MN Supreme Court justices are there?

How are judges in Minnesota selected?

This refers to a judge's ability to render decisions free from political or popular influence based solely on the individual facts and applicable law

This describes the separation of the judicial branch from the executive and legislative branches of government.

Who helps to recruit and evaluate candidates to fill district court judgeships in MN?

Who holds ultimate authority over whether a judge will remain on the bench through the election process in MN?

The idea that the Supreme

Court is the final voice on

the Constitution’s meaning.

The list of cases the US Supreme Court will hear in a term?

The Senate’s power to

approve or reject the

president’s nominees,

including to the Supreme

Court.

When four of the nine

justices decide to take a

case