Vocab
To determine if it is constitutional or not, courts use this:
The U.S. Constitution
The court that handles civil/juvenile cases is called:
Supreme Court
Ruled that U.S. state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools violate the Equal Protection Clause
Brown v Board
What is the 1st Amendment?
Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
Ruled that the Constitution of the United States protected the right of pregnant women to choose to have an abortion
Roe v Wade (1973)
Fundamental constitutional guarantee, ensuring fair treatment under the law, preventing arbitrary government deprivation of life, liberty, or property:
Due Process
A public official appointed or elected to preside over legal proceedings is called:
Judge
Ruled the Union indestructible
Texas v White (1869)
What is the 5th Amendment?
The right to remain silent
What is the 7th amendment?
Right for jury trial
A court's written explanation of its decision:
Opinion
A sworn body of people, typically 12 citizens, empowered to hear evidence, determine facts, and render a verdict (guilty/not guilty or liable/not liable) in legal cases:
Jury
Established that Congress has implied powers
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
What is the 10th Amendment?
Federalism
A group of judges is called:
A panel or bench
Legal authority, power, or right of a court, government, or agency to interpret, apply, and enforce laws within a specific territory or over certain subjects:
Jurisdiction
Lowest Court is called:
District or Local Court
Ruled state courts couldn't enforce racially restrictive housing covenants, a major victory for the civil rights movement.
Shelley v Kraemar (1948)
What is the 6th Amedment?
Guarantees essential rights to individuals facing criminal prosecution, ensuring a fair, public, and timely trial
How long are federal judges appointed for?
For life
Courts rely on previous decisions called this:
Precedent
What court separates the high court for criminal case?
Court of Criminal Appeals
Held Congress had power to regulate interstate commerce, including shipping between states
Gibbons v Ogden (1824)
Defining citizenship, prohibiting states from restricting rights, and guaranteeing equal protection and due process of law to all citizens
How many justices are in the Texas Supreme Court?
9 justices consisting of: Chief Justice and 8 associate justices