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Chapter 8
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| circuit | the area of jurisdiction of a federal court of appeals |
| jurisdiction | a courts authority to hear and decide cases |
| exclusive jurisdiction | authority of only federal courts to hear and decide cases |
| concurrent jurisdiction | powers shared by the state and federal governement |
| district court | federal court where trails are held and lawsuits are begun |
| original jurisdiction | the authority to head 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 courts decision in a case |
| precedent | a ruling that is used as the basis of a judicial decision in a later, similar case |
| judicial review | the power of the supreme court to say whether any federal, state , or local law or government action goes against the Constitution |
| constitutional | in accordance with the Constitution |
| docket | a courts calendar, showing the schedule of cases it is to hear |
| breif | a written document explaining the position of one side or the other in a case |
| majority opinion | a statement that presents the views of the majority of the supreme court justices regarding a case |
| unanimous opinion | the Supreme 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 disagrees with the majority opinion, presenting his or her opinion |
| stare decisis | the practice of using earlier judicial rulings as a basis for deciding cases |