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26 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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cabinet departments |
15 executive departments created to advise the president and operate a specific policy area of governmental activity. |
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independent executive agencies |
similar to departments but without cabinet status. |
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independent executive agencies |
similar to departments but without cabinet status. |
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iron triangles |
iron triangles are alliances that develop between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees. Because of a common goal, these alliances may work to help each other achieve their goals, with Congress and the president often deferring to their influence. |
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Bureaucracy |
A form of organization that operates through impersonal, uniform rules and procedures. |
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Bureaucrat |
A career government employee. |
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Spoils system |
A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends. |
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Merit system |
A system of public employment in which selection and promotion depend on demonstrated performance rather than political patronage. |
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Office of Personnel Management (OPM) |
Agency that administers civil service laws, rules, and regulations. |
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Judicial review |
The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or government regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or, in a state court, the state constitution. |
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Class-action suit |
Lawsuit brought by an individual or a group of people on behalf of all those similarly situated. |
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Criminal law |
A law that defines crimes against the public order. |
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Judicial self-restraint |
Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect what the framers intended and what its words literally say. |
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Judicial activism |
Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect current conditions and values. |
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Stare decisis |
The rule of precedent, whereby a rule or law contained in a judicial decision is commonly viewed as binding on judges whenever the same question is presented. |
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Writ of certiorari |
A formal writ used to bring a case before the Supreme Court. |
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Amicus curiae brief |
Literally, a “friend of the court” brief, filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case. |
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Civil law |
A law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights. |
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Writ of habeas corpus |
A court order requiring explanation to a judge why a prisoner is being held in custody. |
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Original jurisdiction |
The authority of a court to hear a case “in the first instance.” |
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Appellate jurisdiction |
The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts. |
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Grand jury |
A jury of 12 to 23 persons who, in private, hear evidence presented by the government to determine whether persons shall be required to stand trial. If the jury believes there is sufficient evidence that a crime was committed, it issues an indictment. |
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Petit jury |
A jury of 6 to 12 persons who determine guilt or innocence in a civil or criminal action. |
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Magistrate judge |
An official who per forms a variety of limited judicial duties. |
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Court of appeals |
A court with appellate jurisdiction that hears appeals from the decisions of lower courts. |
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Senatorial courtesy |
Presidential custom of submitting the names of prospective appointees for approval to senators from the states in which the appointees are to work. |
