Terms starting with "A"

Answer Answer is a court and legal-process term used to describe cases, court authority, legal procedure, judicial review, opinions, or public legal records. Anti-Federalists Opponents of ratifying the 1787 Constitution, who feared the new national government would be too distant and too powerful, threatening state sovereignty and individual liberty. Their essays (by writers using names such as 'Brutus' and 'Federal Farmer') pressured the Federalists into promising amendments protecting individual rights. Appeal An appeal is a request for a higher court to review a lower court's decision for legal or other reviewable error. Appellate courts usually review the record and legal arguments rather than conduct a new trial. The available grounds, deadlines, and standards of review depend on the court and type of case. Appellant An appellant is the party who asks an appellate court to review a lower court's decision. The appellant argues that the lower court made a reviewable error and requests a remedy, such as reversal or a new proceeding. The opposing party is often called the appellee, though terminology can vary by court and stage of review. Appellate Court An appellate court reviews decisions made by a lower court or another tribunal for legal or other reviewable error. Appellate courts usually examine the record and arguments rather than conduct a new trial. Depending on the law and standard of review, they may affirm, reverse, vacate, or remand a decision. Appellate Jurisdiction Appellate jurisdiction is a court's authority to review a decision made by a lower court or tribunal. The Constitution and statutes define which cases a court may review, and procedural rules set requirements such as deadlines and the proper route for appeal. Amnesty A legislative or executive act that grants a pardon and forgiveness for past offenses to a group of people, often wiping out the legal consequences of those acts. Amendments Amendments is a constitutional and government-structure term used to describe public power, rights, branches of government, constitutional limits, or the relationship between federal and state authority. Amicus Brief An amicus brief is a filing submitted by someone who is not a party to a case but wants to provide information, legal arguments, or perspective that may assist the court. The court's rules determine who may file, when a brief is due, and what it may contain. Amicus Curiae Amicus curiae is Latin for “friend of the court.” An amicus curiae is a person or organization that is not a party to a case but seeks to assist the court by offering information, expertise, or legal arguments. The court's rules govern whether and how an amicus may participate. Amendment An amendment is a formal change to a bill, resolution, statute, constitution, or other legal text. Legislative amendments are considered under the rules of the chamber or committee, while constitutional amendments follow the procedures set by Article V of the U.S. Constitution. Amendment Exchange Also referred to as “amendments between the houses” or, colloquially, “ping-pong.” A method for reconciling differences.