Supreme Court Test

Front 1

Amicus curiae brief

Back 1

The name for a brief filed with the court by someone who is not a party to the case.

Hint 1

friend of the court

Front 2

appellate jurisdiction

Back 2

The jurisdiction which a superior court has to bear appeals of causes which have been tried in inferior courts. It differs from original jurisdiction, which is the power to entertain suits instituted in the first instance.

Front 3

habeas corpus

Back 3

a judicial mandate to a prison official ordering that an inmate be brought to the court so it can be determined whether or not that person is imprisoned lawfully and whether or not he should be released from custody

Front 4

writ of certiorari

Back 4

a common law writ issued by a superior court to one of inferior jurisdiction demanding the record of a particular case

Front 5

civil law

Back 5

The body of laws of a state or nation dealing with the rights of private citizens.

Front 6

criminal law

Back 6

Law that deals with crimes and their punishments

Front 7

bloc voting

Back 7

pattern of voting for 2 or more justices

Front 8

class action suit

Back 8

A lawsuit brought by one party on behalf of a group of individuals all having the same grievance

Front 9

constitutional court

Back 9

court under Article III and answers constitutional questions

Front 10

diversity cases

Back 10

cases in which one person has against another state or region

Front 11

fee shifting

Back 11

If one brings a case and loses, that one person pays for the case

Front 12

Dred Scott

Back 12

was a lawsuit decided by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1857 and considered by many to be a key cause of the American Civil War and the later ratification of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments leading to the abolition of slavery and establishment of civil rights for freed slaves

Front 13

litigant

Back 13

A person engaged in a lawsuit

Front 14

judicial activism

Back 14

an interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions

Front 15

judicial review

Back 15

review by a court of law of actions of a government official or entity or of some other legally appointed person or
body or the review by an appellate court of the decision of a trial court

Front 16

political question doctrine

Back 16

court decision saying that they wont decide and let congress or president decide

Front 17

stare decisis

Back 17

precedent; all before what has gone

Front 18

solicitor general

Back 18

2nd person at the command of justice department argues before the supreme court in defense of the United States

Front 19

due process of law

Back 19

you have all rights in a judicial trial steps we must take if they deprive you life liberty and property

Front 20

Amendment 1

Back 20

freedom of religion, speech and press, assembly and right to petition

Front 21

amendment 4

Back 21

no unreasonable search and seizure

Front 22

amendment 5

Back 22

written accusation by a grand jury, no double jeopardy, freedom from self incrimination, "Due Process", "just compensation" under "eminent domain"

Front 23

Amendment 6

Back 23

trials and the rights of the accussed:
no secret trials
court must inform accused
right of accused
speedy trial

Front 24

Amendment 8

Back 24

freedom from excessive bail, fines, unusual punishment

Front 25

Amendment 10

Back 25

Other powers are reserved to the states and to the people
People have all the power
they delgate some to fed government
and some to state governments
and what remains is left to themselves

Front 26

amendment 13

Back 26

Freedom from slavery in the U.s.

Front 27

Amendment 14

Back 27

"Due Process"
applies to state and local governments as well as fed, as far as infringing on the rights of individuals is concerned.
Equal protection-votes and privelidges the same regardless of anything.

Front 28

Amendment 15

Back 28

Right to vote regardless of race color previous condition of servitude or sex

Front 29

amendment 17

Back 29

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people for six years; each Senator has one vote.

Front 30

amendment 19

Back 30

women right to vote

Front 31

amendment 24

Back 31

the citizen who has not paid his taxes still has the power to votein any election

Front 32

amendment 25

Back 32

if president dies vice president takes over and makes another vice president

Front 33

amendment 26

Back 33

voting age lowered to 18