Legal Terminology
Petitioner/Respondent
One appealing a lower courts decision and the one responding to it
In this case, the Court established judicial review
Marbury v. Madison
If you’re involved in veterinarian malpractice case, you’re practicing what kind of law?
Animal Law
What is precedence?
Decisions in past cases that set rules for current and future cases
Certiorari
The process by which one seeks a higher court to review a lower court’s decision, most commonly refers to the Supreme Court
In this case, the Court found Japanese internment camps constitutional
Korematsu v. United States
If you’re a divorce lawyer, you’re practicing what kind of law?
Family Law
What is a plurality opinion?
A plurality opinion is a court opinion where there is no majority. In that case, the controlling opinion is the most narrow, regardless of the number of justices concurring.
Amicus Curiae
“Friend of the Court” - An organization or group not part of the proceedings, but with a strong interest. They petition for permission to submit a brief in the hopes of influencing the court
In this case, the Court found bans on interracial marriage unconstitutional
Loving v. Virginia
If you’re involved in a case involving tuition fraud, you’re practicing what kind of law?
Education Law
What is a circuit court?
One of 13 courts in the US that hear appeals from lower courts. 11 cover state regions, 1 covers Washington D.C., and one covers certain specific areas.
Tort
A civil wrong eg. negligence, libel
In this case, the Court upheld the narrowly tailored use of race as a factor in college admissions, so long as it is not a quota system and permits individualized review
Grutter v. Bollinger
If you’re involved in a copyright case, you’re practicing what kind of law?
Intellectual Property Law
What does it mean for a case to be moot?
A case is moot when a ruling will have no effect. Moot cases must be dismissed
Circuit Split
When two circuit courts reach different interpretations of federal law. This may be a reason for the Supreme Court to grant cert
In this case, the Court found students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate"
Tinker v. Des Moines
If you’re involved in a case involving the right to unionize, you’re practicing what kind of law?
Employment or Labor Law
Name the three major schools of legal philosophy
Natural Law, Positivism, Legal Realism