1. Federal Courts
1.1. Supreme Court
1.1.1. Rule of Four
1.1.1.1. 4 or more justices must agree to hear a specific case
1.1.2. Writ of Certiorari
1.1.2.1. Oral arguments presented by each side
1.1.3. Precedent
1.1.3.1. Supreme Court decisions set a precedent for future cases to be decided upon
1.1.4. Stare Decisis
1.1.4.1. The Supreme Court may avoid creating a new precedent by allowing a previous decision to stand
1.1.5. Amicus Curiae
1.1.5.1. referencing a person or group who is not a party to an action, but has a strong interest in the matter. Petitions the court to submit a brief of the action.
1.2. Federal District Courts
1.2.1. Most cases end here either by a settlement or by the losing party's decision not to appeal.
1.2.2. IF decision is appealed
1.3. Federal Court of Appeals
1.3.1. Focus is on how the decision of the district court was rendered and if that decision was appropriate in the context of the law
1.3.2. Decision can either be:
1.3.2.1. **affirmed,** confirming the district court decision
1.3.2.2. **reversed,** overturning the district court decision
1.3.2.3. **remanded,** sent back to the lower court for reconsideration
1.3.2.4. some combination of the above
1.3.3. Losing side may appeal to the Supreme Court
1.4. Judicial Decision
1.4.1. Majority Opinion
1.4.1.1. The decision made by the majority of the justices in the court. This decision is binding.
1.4.2. Plurality Opinion
1.4.2.1. The opinion of the Court when no majority consensus is reached.
1.4.3. Concurring Opinion
1.4.3.1. May be written by justices agreeing with majority to share reasoning for vote
1.4.4. Dissenting Opinion
1.4.4.1. Written by justices who disagree with the majority opinion and who are trying to influence later courts to reverse the ruling.
2. State Courts
2.1. State Trial Courts
2.1.1. Either Civil or Criminal cases involving federal questions
2.1.2. Cases then can be appealed up to the Appellate Courts
2.2. State Appellate Courts
2.2.1. Appeals are examined regarding laws with various potential outcomes
2.2.1.1. affirmed: the court agrees with the district courts decision
2.2.1.2. reversed: the court overturns the district court's decision
2.2.1.3. remanded: case is sent back to the lower courts to be reheard
2.2.2. Cases can then be appealed up to the State Supreme Court or to the federal court systems if in regards to the constitution
2.3. State Supreme Court
2.3.1. Former cases from state appellate courts can be appealed up to here
2.3.2. Cases are decided to be viewed based on the Rule of Four, requiring four members to agree to view the case
2.4. Opinions:
2.4.1. Majority: The ruling decision for the court, serves as precedents
2.4.2. Plurality: Lack of majorities lead to multi pronged opinions
2.4.3. Concurring: The opinion in line with the majority's decision
2.4.4. Dissenting: the opinion opposing the majority's decision