Judicial Branch Vocabulary

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. Its main role in the judicial branch is to interpret the Constitution and review laws to make sure they are constitutional. The Supreme Court hears important cases that can set precedents, meaning its decisions influence how laws are applied in the future. It also resolves disputes between states and handles cases involving the federal government.

• There are 9 Supreme Court Justices
• Justices serve until they die or retire
• Justices can be removed from office through impeachment (similar to a president)
• Justices are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

Justice

Justice means fairness—ensuring that everyone is treated equally under the law. It’s about doing what is right and ensuring that laws are followed properly. In the judicial branch, judges and justices work to uphold justice by interpreting laws and ensuring they are applied fairly to everyone. They make sure the rules are followed and that decisions are based on the law, not personal opinions. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." – Martin Luther King Jr.

Ruling

The decision made by a judge or a court about a case. It tells what the law means in that situation and what should happen next, such as whether someone is guilty or not, or if a law is unconstitutional.

Criminal

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Civil

In a criminal case, the government accuses someone of breaking the law. The person on trial, called the defendant, could face punishment like jail time, fines, or both if found guilty. Criminal cases deal with serious offenses like theft, assault, or murder.

In a civil case, two people or groups disagree about something like money, property, or contracts. One side, called the plaintiff, sues the other side, the defendant, asking the court to settle the dispute. Civil cases don't involve breaking laws in the same way as criminal cases, and punishments are usually about money or fixing a problem, not jail time.

Unconstitutional

Something is unconstitutional if it goes against the rules in the U.S. Constitution. If a law or action doesn’t follow these rules, it can be stopped by the courts. When a law is ruled as unconstitutional it ends the law. All laws, even made by the states, have to follow the guidelines of the Constitution.

Judicial review is the power of the courts to decide if a law or government action follows the Constitution. If it doesn’t, the courts can strike it down and stop it from being enforced.Only federal judges & Supreme Court Justices can delcare laws unconstitutional.

Examples of Judicial Review in Action:

• Brown v. Board of Education (1954): The Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, ending separate schools for black and white students.

• Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): The Supreme Court ruled that state laws banning same-sex marriage were unconstitutional, affirming that the Constitution protects the right for same-sex couples to marry.

Judicial

The term "judicial" refers to anything related to courts, judges, and the system of justice. It's about making decisions based on the law and interpreting the meaning of laws.

Judicial Branch: The judicial branch is one of the three branches of government, alongside the executive and legislative branches. Its main job is to interpret laws and make sure they are applied fairly. Courts, like the Supreme Court, are part of this branch, and their role is to review cases to ensure laws follow the Constitution.

Circuit

A type of court that hears cases in a specific area of the country, called a circuit. These courts handle a variety of cases, including civil and criminal cases, and they often serve as the main trial courts in a state or region.

State Courts

Jurisdiction: State courts handle cases involving state laws. This includes criminal cases (like theft or assault), family matters (like divorce or custody), and contracts. Structure: Each state has its own court system with different levels, including trial courts, appellate courts, and a state supreme court. The rules and procedures can vary from one state to another. Examples: Traffic violations, state criminal cases, and disputes between citizens in the same state.

Federal Courts

Jurisdiction: Federal courts handle cases involving federal laws, disputes between states, or cases that involve citizens from different states (diversity cases). They also deal with issues related to the Constitution. Structure: The federal court system has different levels, including district courts (trial courts), courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court. Examples: Immigration cases, federal crimes (like drug trafficking), and constitutional rights cases.

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Appeal

An appeal is when a person who loses a court case asks a higher court to review the decision. They believe that the lower court made a mistake in handling the case, whether it was about the law or how the trial was conducted. The higher court looks at the evidence, arguments, and legal issues involved, and then decides if the lower court’s decision should be changed, upheld, or possibly sent back for a new trial. Appeals are important because they help ensure that the legal process is fair and just.

Precedent

A precedent is a rule from an earlier court case that helps judges decide new cases. When a court faces a similar situation, it looks at past decisions to make sure the law is applied the same way each time.

Examples of precedents set by the Supreme Court:

• Miranda v. Arizona (1966): Required that individuals taken into police custody be informed of their rights, establishing the "Miranda rights" precedent for future arrests.
• Loving v. Virginia (1967): Ruled that state bans on interracial marriage were unconstitutional, setting a precedent for marriage equality.
• Tinker v. Des Moines (1969): Established that students have the right to free speech in schools as long as it doesn't disrupt learning, guiding future cases about student rights.