Term | Definition |
circuit | district they serve |
jurisdiction | the authority to head and decide a case |
exclusive jurisdiction | only federal courts may hear and decide cases |
concurrent jurisdiction | authority for both state and federal courts to hear and decide cases |
district court | federal court where trials are held and lawsuits are begun |
original jurisdiction | the authority to hear cases for the first time |
appeals court | a court that reviews decisions made in lower district courts |
appellate jurisdiction | the authority of a court to hear a case appealed from a lower court |
remand | to send a case back to a lower court to be tried again |
opinion | a detailed explanation of the legal thinking behind a court's decision in a case |
precedent | a ruling that is used as the basis for judicial decision in a later, similar case. |
judicial review | the power of the supreme court to say whether any government action goes against the constitution |
constitutional | in accordance with the constitution |
docket | a court's calendar |
brief | a written document explaining the position of one side or the other in a case |
majority opinion | a statement that represents the views of the majority of supreme court justices regarding a case |
unanimous opinion | the sumpreme court rules on a case in which all justices agree on the ruling |
concurring opinion | a statement written by a justice who votes with the majority but for different reasons. |
dissenting opinion | a statement written by a justice who disagreees with the majority opinion, presenting this or her opinion |
stare decisis | the practice of using earlier judicial rulings as a basis for deciding cases |