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Judicial Branch
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Crime | Any act that breaks the law and for which a punishment has been established |
| Criminal Law | Part of the legal system that deals with crimes. or actions that are harmful or dangerous to society |
| Civil Law | Resolving disagreements between individuals or groups, not against the state. |
| Precedent | An earlier court decision that guides judges' decisions in later cases |
| Constitutional Law | Law based on US Constitution and Supreme Court decisions |
| Appeal | The right of a convicted person to ask a higher court to review their case |
| Jurisdiction | The area of authority to hear a court case and enforce the law |
| District Laws | Lower federal courts that have original jurisdiction in most cases involving federal law |
| Courts of Appeals | Federal courts that review decisions appealed from districts courts |
| Justices | Title given to judges of the Supreme court |
| Judicial review | The Power of the Supreme Court; it determines if a law passed by Congress or presidential action goes against the Constitution |
| Opinion | A written statement by the US Supreme Court explaining its reasoning behind a decision. |
| Concurring Opinion | A statement written by a Supreme Court Justice who agrees with the majority's decision but for different reasons |
| Dissenting Opinion | A statement written by a Supreme Court Justice who disagrees with the majority's decision |