Key Terms
Sovereignty
Power of a government to exercise authority and impose rules on people within its territory.
Judicial branch (judicial system)
The court system that interprets, defends, and applies the law in the government's name. It is the mechanism for peacefu
Judiciary
The PEOPLE who work in the judicial branch. Not the same as the branch itself.
Jurisdiction
Written authority (from a constitution or statute) that authorizes a court to hear a case; covers both geography and sub
Rule of Law
Government is accountable to its laws; no one is above the law. Four principles: 1.
Rule by Law
A person or group uses the courts to impose their viewpoint and reinforce their own power. Courts have little independen
Social contract
The voluntary agreement where people consent to follow rules and the government consents to act within certain limits. R
Standing
A party has standing when they have a direct injury from the effect of a law. You need standing to bring a case to court
Court case
A specific dispute about the law and its effect on the parties directly affected.
Issues
The specific questions a court is asked to resolve. Courts can only answer the issues raised by the parties.
Evidence
The materials or statements a court can consider as proof.
Judicial implementation
The process by which a court's judgment is put into practice and enforced.
Nullification
When a government (or individual) willfully refuses to obey a court order or statute.
Example
Federal marijuana law is technically in force and SCOTUS has affirmed it; but the federal government chooses not to enfo
Example chain
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) answered one specific question about K-12 public school segregation; that decision en