Judicial Branch
5 Steps Supreme Court Takes
1. Requested/Appealed- only about 150-200 accepted 2. Placed on docket- 1st two weeks of month they read/ listen to both sides' arguments. 3. The last two weeks of the month Justices get together in conference to vote on cases 4. Write their opinions 5. Make their opinions/ruling public
8 Instances Federal Court Hears Case
1. federal crimes 2. admirality & maritime 3. unconstitutionality 4. disputes invovling the US government 5. controversies between states 6. controversies between citizens of different states 7. disputes involving foreign government 8. US ambassadors and such break American law in another country
Senate
Approves presidential appoints of judges
Jurisdiction
Authority to hear and decide on a case
Marbury vs. Madison
Case: Jefferson wouldn't pass some of Adams commissions. Importance: established the Supreme Courts power of judicial review.
Criminal and Civil Cases
Civil cases involve private disputes between persons of organizations, where as criminal cases involve an action that is considered to be harmful to society/crime is committed.
State vs. Mann
Establishes the supremacy of the North Carolina Constitution
US District Courts
Federal trial court, ONLY has original jurisdiction; 94 district courts; trial court
Writ of Certiorari
Giving higher courts the power to get lower court cases; to send up records from a lower court.
Precedent
Guidance to other judges to be used as an example based on past cases.
NC Supreme Court
Highest NC Court; 7 members; supervise all other state courts; only considers error in law; all decisions final unless appealed to US Sup. Court.
US Supreme Court
Highest court in the United States; has appellate and original jurisdiction; 1 Sup. Court; 9 justices; can uphold verdict, overturn it or retrial to lower courts.
9
How many Supreme Court justices are there?
Chief Justice
Leader of the Supreme Court
NC District Courts
Lowest NC Court that handles misdemenors and civil cases less than $10,000; 4 categories- civil, criminal, juvenile and magistrate
NC Superior Court
NC Court that hears felony cases and civil cases more than $10,000; aka county court or circuit courts; may be specialized in criminal, civil and juvenile cases.
Swann vs. CMS
NC case says busing should be used to desegregate public schools
Leandro Case
NC court case saying North Car. must provide a sound and basic education
7
Number of NC Supreme Court justices
US Court of Appeals
Only has appellate jurisdiction; 12; circuit courts; only rule on law-don't give verdict; panel of 3 judges who review case and affirm. reverse verdict, or remand case.
Judicial Review
Power to determine the constitutionality of a law or action
Docket
Supreme court calendar
Life
Term length for Supreme Court justices
Original Jurisdiction
The power to hear a case first
Appellate Jurisdiction
The power to review a case from a lower court
Interpret
The role of the Judicial Branch is to ______ laws
Majority Opinion
This is the written opinion of the Supreme Court. It presents the views of the justices on a case and announces ruling.
Dissenting Opinion
This is written by those who disagree with the majority opinion
NJ vs. TLO
Ties into Bill of Rights b/c it is all about 4th amendment rights and how our rights are squeezed at school 'for the greater good.'
Ex Post Facto
To be punished for an action that was not a crime when committed
Bill of Attainder
To be punished without trial
Writ of Habeas Corpus
To bring the accused before the court
NC Court of Appeals
What NC court has only appellate jurisdiction?
President
Who appoints Sup. Court justices?
Concurring Opinion
Written by those who agree with the majority decision, but for different reasons.
Magistrate Court
accept guilty pleas for minor misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil cases involving less than $4,000.
Circuit
area of jurisdiction of a federal court of appeals
Opinion
detailed explanation of legal thinking behind a courts decision.
Exclusive Jurisdiction
only federal courts may hear and decide on cases
Remand
to send back to a lower court to be re-tried
Concurrent Jusrisdiction
when federal and state courts both may try crimes
Brief
written document that explains one sides position on the case; prepared by lawyers.