1. Judicial Branch Vocabulary

2. Inferior Courts Lower federal courts, beneath the Supreme Court

3. Jurisdiction The authority of a court to hear a case

4. Plaintiff In civil cases, the person who sues another person (the defendant) in court

5. Defendant In civil cases, the person who is being sued by another person (the plaintiff)

6. Original Jurisdiction The power of a court to hear a case before any other court can hear it.

7. Appellate Jurisdiction The authority of a court to review the decision of a lower court.

8. Criminal Case A case in which a person is on trial for committing a crime (burglary, drug charges, etc.)

9. Civil Case A case that does not involve a criminal act (law suits)

10. Docket A court’s list of cases to be heard

11. Writ of Certiorari An order given to a lower court to send records on a case to a higher court to be reviewed.

12. Majority Opinion Officially called the Opinion of the Court; announces the court’s decision in a case and its reasons for making that decision.

13. Precedent A court decision that serves as an example to be followed in the future.

14. Concurring Opinion Written explanation of the views of one or more judges that SUPPORT a decision made by the majority of the Court.

15. Dissenting Opinion Written explanation of the views of one or more judges who DO NOT support a decision made the majority of the Court.

16. Redress Paying off a claim from a civil case

17. Court Martial A court composed of military personnel for the trial of someone accused of violating military law.