Important Terms to Know
- Jurisdiction - the right for a court to hear a certain case. This can relate to any court, from the local court to the highest court in the country, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). There are two types of jurisdiction:
- Original Jurisdiction - Original jurisdiction is the right of the court to hear a case first. This is often referred to as trial court. SCOTUS has original jurisdiction on cases involving multiple states against one entity or party or states versus one another in disputes surrounding issues like land or water rights.
- Appellate Jurisdiction - Appellate jurisdiction is the right of a court to review the decision made by a lower court. State level appellate courts hear decisions that are appealed by individuals or parties. SCOTUS is the ultimate appellate court, as they review decisions that lower courts have made or review the constitutionality of a law passed at either the local, state, or federal level.
Who is on the Supreme Court of the United States?
Front row, left to right: Ruth Bader-Ginsberg, Anthony Kennedy, Chief Justice John Roberts,
Clarence Thomas, Stephen Breyer
Clarence Thomas, Stephen Breyer