Branches, Checks, and Rule of Law
This constitutional principle divides government responsibilities among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
What is Separation of Powers
This is the highest court in the federal judicial system.
What is the Supreme Court of the United States? (SCOTUS)
Under Article II, Section 2, the president takes this action to formally propose a person for a federal judgeship.
What is the appointments Clause?
This is a court’s legal authority to hear and decide a case.
What is Jurisdiction?
This standard of proof is required for a criminal conviction.
What is Burden of Proof?
"beyond a reasonable doubt"
This 1954 case held that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.
What is "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka?"
This system allows each branch to limit or influence the actions of the other branches.
What is Checks and Balances
These federal trial courts hear evidence and decide cases within their jurisdiction.
What are the U.S. District Courts?
This Senate role involves considering and approving certain presidential appointments, including federal judges.
What is Advice and Consent?
This federal authority covers cases involving the Constitution, federal laws, or treaties.
What is the Federal Judicial Power?
Judicial Review (In the Ballpark Answer)
This type of jury hears evidence at trial and decides facts and, in criminal cases, guilt.
What is a petit jury? (also known as a trial jury)
This 1963 case required counsel for defendants unable to afford an attorney in serious criminal cases.
What is Gideon v. Wainwright?
This 1803 Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review.
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
This type of jurisdiction gives a court authority to review a lower court’s decision.
What is Appellate Jurisdiction?
Article III allows federal judges to remain in office during this condition.
What is Good Behavior?
Shared by both the national and state governments, the power to collect taxes or establish courts is known by this "cooperative" term.
What are concurrent powers?
Federalism
This court order requires the government to justify a person’s detention.
What is a Writ of Habeus Corpus?
This 1969 case protected students’ symbolic speech at school unless it substantially disrupts the school environment.
What is "Tinker v. Des Moines" Independent Community School District?
This term describes a law or government action that conflicts with the U.S. Constitution.
What is Unconstitutional
This Supreme Court order agrees to review a case from a lower court.
This Supreme Court order is called a writ of certiorari (often shortened to a grant of cert).
This Article III protection prevents federal judges’ compensation from being reduced while they remain in office.
What is the Compensation Clause?
Under the Constitution, this crime involves levying war against the United States or giving aid and comfort to its enemies.
What is Treason?
This Fifth Amendment protection prevents a person from being forced to testify against themself in a criminal case.
What is privilege against self-incrimination or the right to remain silent (commonly called "pleading the Fifth")?
This 1966 case required police to inform people in custody of key rights before questioning.
What is Miranda v. Arizona?
This principle means that everyone, including government officials, must follow the law.
What is Rule of Law
This legal practice means generally following established precedents.
This legal practice is known as Stare Decisis. "to stand by things decided".
This describes judges’ ability to decide cases according to law without improper pressure from other branches or outside interests.
What is Judicial independence?
It is the only crime specifically defined in the Constitution, requiring the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act or a confession in open court to convict.
What is treason?
This Sixth Amendment right guarantees legal representation in criminal proceedings; an attorney is provided when required for people unable to afford one.
What is the right to the assistance of counsel in all criminal prosecutions?
This 2008 case recognized an individual right to possess a firearm for lawful purposes under the Second Amendment.
What is "District of Columbia v. Heller?"