AP Gov 5.17 the Judiciary

Cert Petition

A formal request by one or more parties in a legal case for a the Supreme Court to grant a writ of certiorari, or to agree to hear the appeal.

Remedy

A judicial order enforcing a right or redressing a wrong.

Rule of four

A rule in the Supreme Court under which a petition for certiorari will be granted and the case in question reviewed if four of the nine justices agree on to do so.

Dissenting opinion

A signed opinion in which one or more justices disagree with the majority view of the case.

Concurring opinion

A signed opinion that agrees with the majority's view of the case but is written to express a particular judge's reasoning.

SCOTUS

Acronym for the Supreme Court of the United States.

Writ of Certiorari

An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review.

Federal question cases

Cases concerning the Constitution, federal laws, or treaties.

Diversity cases

Cases involving citizens of different states who can bring suit in federal courts.

Majority opinion

Judicial opinion agreed upon by more than half of the deciding court.

Marbury v. Madison (1807)

Landmark Supreme Court case under Chief Justice John Marshall ruling that the Supreme Court has the constitutional authority of judicial review, or the right to review (and invalidate) actions by the legislative and executive branches.

Judicial review

Legal concept established in Marbury v. Madison that allows the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of laws and actions taken by the legislative and executive branches.

per curiam decision or opinion

Ruling by an appellate court where the written opinion of the court is kept anonymous (the author of the opinion is not revealed).

Unanimous opinion

Ruling of the Supreme Court where all justices are in agreement and one opinion is written.

Standing

The legally protectible stake or interest that an individual has in a dispute that entitles him to bring the controversy before the court to obtain judicial relief.

Remand

When a higher court sends a case back to a lower court so that the lower court will take a certain action ordered by a higher court.