Structure of the Federal Judicial System

The Supreme Court sits at the top of the federal judicial system.

The United States judiciary consists of court systems at both the federal and state levels. The federal courts interpret the Constitution and determine the constitutionality of federal laws.

Origins

The Constitution established the Supreme Court at the top of the federal court system and granted Congress the authority to create the lower courts in this system.

Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court consists of nine members—eight associate justices and a chief justice. The justices agree to hear a limited number of cases involving questions concerning the Constitution or federal law from federal or state courts.

District Courts

District Courts function as federal trial courts, which have jurisdiction to try all types of federal cases, including civil and criminal matters. There are 94 trial court districts with at least one district in each state. Each district also includes a U.S. Bankruptcy Court, which hears all bankruptcy cases.

Appellate Courts

The 94 District Courts are divided into 12 regional circuits. Each circuit has a U.S. Court of Appeals that hears appeals from the district courts within its circuit. Appellate courts also examine the decisions of federal administrative agencies.

Federal Cases

Most cases originate in District Courts, with the appellate courts and Supreme Court either upholding or overturning the verdict during the appeals process. If the higher court overturns the lower court's decision, it may remand, or send, the case back to the lower court. Complex cases can move between the trial and appeals courts numerous times.

References

• United States Courts: Federal Courts' Structure
• Georgia Tech: Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access: Federal Court Concepts: Structure of the Federal Courts

Resources

• Supreme Court of the United States