The Structure and Function of the U.S. Federal Court System

The U.S. Constitution has provided for the federal judicial system to be constructed and given jurisdiction over certain types of cases. Congress was given the power to determine this structure and allow the federal courts to protect the rights included in the Constitution. The three main levels of federal courts include the U.S. District Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court, but special courts such as the U.S. Tax Court also exist.

U.S. District Courts

The U.S. has been divided into 94 districts by Congress, each of which has a federal district court to oversee it. There is at least one district court in each state, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, though some have more than one if they are split among districts. For example, the Northern District of California only covers the northern part of that state. These courts are trial courts, which may employ a jury to decide a case.

Each district also has a bankruptcy court to deal with bankruptcy filings and administer appropriate laws. These courts are a part of the district courts, but still considered separately, as bankruptcy cases are the only ones in which they deal with. This means that bankruptcy is not a state or local matter, and can never be filed for appropriately in any court other than the corresponding federal district.

U.S. Courts of Appeals

Much like each individual state court system, the federal judiciary also has several courts of appeal. There are 12 regional circuits and corresponding U.S. Courts of Appeal that encompass the 94 federal districts. These courts hear appeals from the district courts which are under their circuit and jurisdiction, and decide if the law was interpreted and applied in the correct manner. 

An additional U.S. Court of Appeals is provided for a separate Federal Circuit. This federal appeals court only has jurisdiction over specific matters versus where they originate from. For example, it may hear appeals from the U.S. Court of International Trade, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and some cases from district courts. 

U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court is housed in Washington, D.C., and is the highest court available in the country. This court hears appeals from the U.S. Courts of Appeal and sometimes those from a state supreme court. Requests are submitted for the Supreme Court to hear appeals on a daily basis, but this court may pick and choose which cases it will deal with. These cases are usually chosen based on the application of the law in the original decision, the actions of the presiding court and the written request.

Decisions by the Supreme Court are very important in that they define what is known as “case law” by attorneys. Rulings in prior cases are frequently used to argue a plaintiff or defendant’s side of an issue to back their logic and reasoning. In addition, opinions published by the Justices are highly regarded in the legal system among attorneys and even lower levels of court when applying and interpreting the law.