Keith Mack
The US judicial system is comprised of federal and state courts, with the former being the only courts that can hear cases involving federal laws. These include the US Supreme Court, US District Courts, and US Circuit Courts of Appeal. Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, meaning they can only hear cases authorized by the US Constitution or federal statutes. Cases that raise a federal question involving the US government, the Constitution, or other federal laws fall under the purview of federal courts. These courts also hear criminal, civil, and bankruptcy cases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Supreme Court Justices | 9 |
| Highest Court in the US | U.S. Supreme Court |
| Jurisdiction | Cases involving the US government, the Constitution, federal statutes, treaties, and disputes between states |
| Court Types | Trial Courts, Appellate Courts |
| Trial Courts | District Courts |
| Appellate Courts | Circuit Courts of Appeal, Court of Appeals |
| Circuit Court Judges | Appointed for life by the President |
| Appeal Process | Appeal to the Circuit Court once the District Court has finalized a decision |
| En Banc Hearing | Entire Circuit Court considers certain appeals |
| Appeal Jurisdiction | Cases involving federal laws, significant constitutional or legal implications, and final say on matters of federal law |
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What You'll Learn
Federal district courts
The district courts were established by Congress under the authority granted by Article III of the Constitution through the enactment of the Judiciary Act of 1789. While there is no constitutional requirement for district courts to exist, they play a crucial role in the federal judiciary. The number of judges in each district court is determined by Congress in the United States Code, and the president appoints the federal judges with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Appeals from the decisions of federal district courts are typically heard by the Federal Circuit Appellate Courts, which correspond to their geographic locations. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has nationwide jurisdiction over specific issues such as patents. After the district court's decision, parties can file appeals to the circuit court, presenting their arguments through "briefs" and "oral arguments."
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Federal circuit courts of appeal
The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, also known as the U.S. Court of Appeals, has nationwide jurisdiction over very specific issues, such as patent laws, and cases decided by the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. There are 12 regional circuits and one nationwide circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which has jurisdiction over specialised cases.
The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals is one of 13 appellate courts that sit below the U.S. Supreme Court. These courts hear appeals from lower courts and review decisions by federal administrative agencies, as well as some original proceedings filed directly with the courts of appeals. The rules that govern the procedure in these courts are the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. An appeal is typically heard by a "'panel' of three judges randomly selected from the available judges, including senior judges and those temporarily assigned to the circuit.
The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals can hear cases that involve federal laws. Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases that raise a "federal question" involving the United States government, the U.S. Constitution, or other federal laws. Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, meaning they can only hear cases authorized by the United States Constitution or federal statutes. The federal district court is the starting point for any case arising under federal statutes, the Constitution, or treaties.
In the case of an appeal, the court will first receive "'briefs' from the parties, outlining why the trial court's decision should be 'affirmed' or 'reversed'. After the briefs are filed, the court schedules 'oral argument', where lawyers come before the court to make their arguments and answer the judges' questions. Once a decision is made and published, it cannot be overruled by a future panel. However, the panel can suggest that the circuit take up the case "en banc" to reconsider the decision.
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The US Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has nine justices in total, and an opinion that more than half of the justices join is known as a "majority opinion", creating binding precedent in American law. An opinion that fewer than half of the justices join is a "plurality opinion" and is only partially binding.
Each Supreme Court justice hires several law clerks to review petitions for writs of certiorari, research them, prepare bench memorandums, and draft opinions. A writ of certiorari is a petition to the court to hear a case. The Supreme Court is not required to hear the appeal, and less than 1% of appeals are heard by it.
The Supreme Court's decisions can have a significant impact on the interpretation and enforcement of federal laws. For example, in National Labor Relations Board v. Noel Canning, the court limited the president's ability to make recess appointments.
The Supreme Court added four new cases to its docket for the 2025-26 term, involving issues such as capital punishment, federal sentencing, and civil procedure.
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State courts
However, it's important to note that state courts generally do not have jurisdiction over cases involving federal laws. Federal courts are specifically designed to hear cases involving federal laws, the United States government, the Constitution, or disputes between states. These courts include the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Courts, and U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal, each playing a unique role in the judicial system. The U.S. Supreme Court, as the highest court, primarily hears cases with significant constitutional or legal implications and has the final say on matters of federal law.
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Tribal courts
The Code of Federal Regulations 25 CFR Part 11 governs the CFR Courts, which are operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. However, Tribal laws and ordinances enacted by a Tribe's governing body and approved by the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs take precedence over the CFR. Each CFR court should also apply Tribal customs when consistent with the CFR.
While Tribal courts play a crucial role in administering justice within Tribal communities, it is important to note that felonies involving Tribal members within Indian country that are considered federal crimes fall under the jurisdiction of federal courts.
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Frequently asked questions
Federal courts are specifically designed to hear cases involving federal laws. These include the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Courts, and U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal.
Federal courts hear criminal, civil, and bankruptcy cases. They also handle cases involving specific subjects such as immigration and intellectual property.
The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. It primarily hears cases that have significant constitutional or legal implications and has the final say on matters of federal law.
