Key Terms
DEFINITION
Torts are any civil wrong other than a breach of contract; include situations where people or businesses suffer legal in
Example of a federal limit
The federal government cannot tax the exchange of goods between states as "exports."
Example
A citizen of Florida suing a citizen of Ohio over a contract dispute can file in federal court. If both parties were fro
PURPOSE OF DIVERSITY JURISDICTION
Gives a party a neutral forum when it fears the opponent has a "home court advantage."
Appellate court
Reviews trial court decisions on questions of law only; no new trials or witnesses
Authoritarian regime
System where rulers are above the law and govern arbitrarily; what the Founders designed checks and balances to prevent
Checks and balances
System ensuring each branch of government can limit the power of the other two
Diversity jurisdiction
Federal court authority over state law cases where parties are from different states and amount exceeds $75,000
Federal question jurisdiction
Federal court authority over cases involving the Constitution, federal laws, or treaties; no dollar minimum
Federalism
Division of authority between the federal government and the state governments
Judicial review
Power of any federal court to hold acts of the president or Congress unconstitutional; established in Marbury v. Madison
Jurisdiction
Authority of a court to hear a particular type of case
Pardon
Executive order vacating a criminal sentence for a crime
Subject matter jurisdiction
Rules determining whether a case belongs in federal or state court based on the type of dispute
Torts
Civil wrongs other than breach of contract; includes situations where people or businesses suffer legal injury