Court Foundations
This part of the Constitution creates the federal judiciary and defines what kinds of cases it can hear.
What is Article III of the US Constitution?
This type of authority allows a court to hear a case for the very first time.
What is original jurisdiction?
This written opinion explains the Court’s ruling and represents the view of most justices.
What is the majority opinion?
This Supreme Court power allows it to strike down laws or executive actions that violate the Constitution.
What is judicial review?
This term refers to earlier court rulings that guide future decisions.
Under the Constitution, Supreme Court justices serve for this length of time.
What is life appointment?
This type of authority allows a higher court to review a lower court’s decision.
What is appellate jurisdiction?
A justice writes this when they agree with the outcome but not the reasoning.
What is a concurring opinion?
This landmark case established the Court’s authority to exercise judicial review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This principle encourages courts to follow precedent to maintain stability.
What is stare decisis?
This branch of government confirms Supreme Court nominees.
What is the Senate?
This formal request asks SCOTUS to take up a case from the lower court.
What is a writ of certiorari?
This type of opinion explains why a justice believes the Court decided incorrectly.
What is a dissenting opinion?
This side brings the case to the Supreme Court seeking a different outcome.
Who is the petitioner?
This philosophy urges judges to defer to elected branches and limit their own power.
What is judicial restraint?
Most everyday legal disputes (like traffic violations or divorce) are handled here, not in federal court.
What are state courts?
This informal rule determines how many justices must agree to hear a case.
What is the Rule of Four?
When the Supreme Court agrees with the lower court’s ruling, it does this.
What is affirm?
Groups not directly involved in a case may submit this to influence the Court. They are considered a "friend of the court."
What is an amicus curiae brief?
This philosophy supports a more active judicial role in shaping policy.
What is judicial activism?
This person represents the US Government before the Supreme Court.
Who is the Solicitor General?
This side argues that the lower court’s ruling should stand.
Who is the respondent?
When the Court overturns a lower court’s decision entirely, it does this.
What is reverse?
When the Court sends a case back to a lower court for further action, it does this.
What is remand?
This interpretive approach argues the Constitution’s meaning can change over time.
What is the living Constitution?