Standard Deviants: Judicial Branch ( Section C)

What is a dissenting opinion?

An opinion which disagrees with the majority and discuses the majority problem

What is a concurring opinion?

An opinion written by a member of the majority that disagrees with reasoning.

Due to the volume of cases trying to get on the docket, the justices must restrict cases they hear to:

Cases that will have a substantial impact on the nation.

If the Chief Justice (John G. Roberts) is party of the majority opinion, who decides which justice will write the majority opinion?

Chief Justice

What is the main job of the Supreme Court Justices?

Determine if a case makes it to court, listen to oral arguments interpret laws.

Oral arguments are when:

Each side of the case has a half-hour to argue their sides.

What does attitudinal model refer to?

How justices may decide cases based on their own personal preference for public policy.

Judicial Restraint is a belief that as non-elected officials:

Judges should stay out of policy making the court can interpret the Constitutionally of the decisions and subsequent actions.

Judicial Activism is based on a belief that:

Judges should use judicial decisions to advance particular policy-making.

What happens at the confrence?

Justices get together in secret to talk amongst themselves.

If the Chief Justice is NOT part of the majority, who decides which justice will write the majority opinion?

One who has been there the longest

What is "precendent"?

Using prior decisions to determine the outcome of a current case.

What is the majority opinion?

When the majority side of the vote puts it's opinion down on paper.

What are three sources from which Justices get public opinions?

briefs, lobbying, and the media

What are the four "extra legal factors" that also influence the Justice's opinions?

ideology public opinion behavioral characteristics attitudinal model