Supreme Court
Nine-justice tribunal
The Supreme Court is the highest federal court in the United States, consisting of nine justices who serve lifetime appointments.
It has final authority on constitutional questions and federal law, and its decisions shape American legal and social life: The Supreme Court struck down the statute as unconstitutional.
References to "the Supreme Court" without further specification almost always mean this institution. (Lowercase supreme court refers to any highest court in a judicial system.)
Abortion legalization ruling
- Marbury v. MadisonLandmark ruling establishing judicial review
- MirandaCustodial rights advisement
- Citizens UnitedSupreme Court campaign ruling
- Plessy v. FergusonRuling allowing racial separation
Administrators of law
- chief justicePresiding judge, highest court
- benchShared seating surface
- robesLong loose outer garments
- chambersEnclosed functional rooms
clerk · marshal · nomination · confirmation · quorum · judicial independence · gavel · robe
Courts invalidating unconstitutional acts
- separation of powersConstitutional distribution of authority
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
- bill of rightsDocument listing protected liberties
amendment · framers · founding fathers · enumerated powers · reserved powers · concurrent powers · ratification · articles
Spoken case presentation
- certiorariHigher court's review order
- docketCourt's case schedule
- briefShort in duration
- petitionFormal written appeal
writ · mandamus · injunction · hearing · term · conference · deliberation · stay
Subjective personal belief
- majority opinionPosition most hold
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- concurrenceState of agreeing
- pluralityLargest share among several
ruling · decision · judgment · precedent · reversal · remand · affirmation · unanimous
Roe v. Wade
Abortion legalization ruling
- Marbury v. MadisonLandmark ruling establishing judicial review
- MirandaCustodial rights advisement
- Citizens UnitedSupreme Court campaign ruling
justices
Administrators of law
- chief justicePresiding judge, highest court
- benchShared seating surface
- robesLong loose outer garments
chambers · clerk · marshal · nomination · confirmation · quorum · judicial independence · gavel · robe · lifetime appointment
judicial review
Courts invalidating unconstitutional acts
- separation of powersConstitutional distribution of authority
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
bill of rights · amendment · framers · founding fathers · enumerated powers · reserved powers · concurrent powers · ratification · articles · preamble
oral argument
Spoken case presentation
- certiorariHigher court's review order
- docketCourt's case schedule
- briefShort in duration
petition · writ · mandamus · injunction · hearing · term · conference · deliberation · stay · appeal
opinion
Subjective personal belief
- majority opinionPosition most hold
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- concurrenceState of agreeing
plurality · ruling · decision · judgment · precedent · reversal · remand · affirmation · unanimous · split decision
- US Governmentexecutive branch, legislative branch, judicial branch, Congress, House
- DC LandmarksWhite House, Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial
- Philippine InstitutionsDTI, DOJ, DOE, SSS, PRC
- Indian Constitutionpreamble, fundamental rights, articles, schedules, amendment process
- court termsjudge, judges, trial, trials, jury
- Pakistani Courts
Supreme Courtlower court
Tribunal subject to appeal
trial court · district court · municipal court · small claims court · traffic court
Supreme Courtlegislature
Lawmaking governmental branch
Congress · executive branch · lawmaking body · House of Representatives · Senate
Supreme Courtdirect democracy
Voters decide policy personally
mob rule · the people · public opinion · ballot initiative · town hall
court, supreme, courts, courtship, courting, supremacy, courthouse, courtly, courtroom