RBG Vocabulary

Target Language or Knowledge:

acquittal advocacy amicus appellate argument autonomy bench bias brief burden canon citation civil clause clerkship codify concurring confirmation constitutionality conviction counsel court decision defendant dissent discrimination due process egalitarian electorate enact enfranchisement equal protection ethics federalism filibuster gender grievance hearing impartial impeachment inclusion indictment interpretation jurisdiction justice landmark legislature litigation majority merit minority nominee objection opinion oral originalism overruling parity plaintiff precedent procedure prosecutor provision ratify reform regulation repeal representation republic rights ruling safeguard scrutiny segregation separation service sexism solicitor standard statute stipulation submission suffrage tenure testimony tolerance tribunal unconstitutional uphold vacancy verdict violation vocal vote vow witness writ zeal zealotry jurisprudence

a legal judgment that a person is not guilty active support for a cause or policy a party not involved in a case but offering information or expertise relating to appeals in court a reason or set of reasons in support of a legal case the right to self-govern the seat or office of a judge a prejudice in favor of or against something a written legal document presented to a court the obligation to prove a legal assertion a general law or rule a reference to a legal source or precedent relating to private rights, not criminal law a distinct article in a legal document a position assisting a judge with research and writing to arrange laws systematically agreeing with a court decision but for different reasons senate approval of a judicial nominee whether something aligns with the constitution a formal declaration of guilt in court legal advice or the lawyer providing it a place where legal judgments are made a final ruling by a judge or court the person accused in a legal proceeding a judge's formal disagreement with the majority opinion unfair treatment based on group characteristics fair treatment through the legal system promoting equal rights for all the body of people eligible to vote to make into law granting the right to vote constitutional guarantee against unequal treatment moral principles guiding behavior a system where power is divided between national and state governments prolonged speech to delay legislative action social and cultural roles associated with being male or female a formal complaint a session where testimony is given before judgment not biased or prejudiced charging a public official with misconduct the practice of integrating all people equally a formal charge of a serious crime explaining the meaning of laws or the constitution the authority of a court to hear a case fairness and the legal administration of the law a case or decision with lasting significance a lawmaking body the process of taking legal action the opinion held by more than half the judges worthiness or excellence in qualifications the opinion held by fewer judges in a case a person proposed for a position a formal protest in court a written explanation of a judicial decision spoken presentation in court interpreting the constitution based on its original meaning reversing a previous legal decision equality, especially in pay or status the person who brings a case to court a previous case used as a rule in future cases established steps in a legal process a lawyer who brings criminal charges a specific clause in a law or contract to formally approve a law or amendment the process of making changes to improve a rule made by an authority to revoke a law acting or speaking on behalf of someone a form of government with elected representatives legal or moral entitlements an official decision made by a judge or court a legal measure for protection critical examination or review enforced separation of groups the division of powers among branches of government the act of fulfilling a role or duty prejudice based on gender a lawyer, especially one advising or representing clients an established level of quality or attainment a written law passed by a legislative body a condition or requirement in an agreement presentation of a legal argument the right to vote the holding of an office or position a formal statement given in court willingness to accept differences a court of justice not in agreement with the constitution to maintain or support a ruling an unoccupied position or office a jury's decision in a trial the act of breaking a law or rule openly expressing opinions a formal expression of choice a solemn promise or commitment someone who gives evidence in court a formal written order passionate devotion to a cause extreme and uncompromising pursuit of a belief the theory or philosophy of law