PLSC 2003 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Federal-Question Jurisdiction, Amicus Curiae, Judicial Restraint
Document Summary
Subsequent cases extended power to cover presidential acts. Power of courts to declare national, state, & local laws invalid if they violate. Supremacy of national laws/ treaties when they conflict w. state & local laws. Opinions(*judges also write opinions) (*writing opinions= most critical) Federal court organized in 3 tiers: supreme courts > (top, us court of appeals > (middle, us district courts > (bottom) Appellate court proceeding public appeal based on admissibility of evidence, not guilt/ innocence panel of 3 judges. Precedents & making decisions decisions become basis for future cases stare decisis. Strives to achieve a just balance among values of freedom, order & equality. Flag burning school desegregation (brown v. board of education) Access to the court court"s cases one from 3 sources original jurisdiction appellate jurisdiction. Litigants in state cases must satisfy 2 conditions must have exhausted appeals in state system case must raise a federal question.