Structure of the Federal Courts

Structure of the Federal Courts in the United States

Introduction

Federal District Courts

A district court is the place where federal cases are heard. Each state has at least one district court. Some larger states are divided into two or more districts. In that case, each district has its own court. Several judges are assigned to each district court. District courts are the only federal courts that use juries. In most other federal courts, the judges make decisions without juries.

There is a chief judge for each district and one or more other judges. District court judges hear a wide variety of cases that may include bank robbery, kidnapping, counterfeiting money, or tax evasion. When a case comes to the district court, the judge explains to the jury the law that the defendant is accused of breaking. The jury decides if the defendant is guilty. If the defendant is found guilty, the judge decides on a sentence, or punishment.

Other Federal Courts

Congress has set up a number of other federal courts to handle special cases. Some of these are:

  • The Federal Claims Court hears cases involving money claims against the federal government. A decision in favor of the person bringing the suit usually results in a sum of money being given to that person.
  • The Court of International Trade hears cases from individuals and businesses about taxes collected by customs officials on imported goods.
  • The Court of Customs and Patent Appeals hears cases appealed from the Court of International Trade, from people applying for patents, and from people whose patent rights have been violated.
  • The Territorial Courts hear cases from people who live in territories of the United States
    overseas (Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands). These courts are the same as the federal district courts.
  • The Tax Court hears appeals concerning payment of federal taxes. This court does not hear criminal cases, but settles disagreements about the amount or type of tax.
  • Other courts include: Courts of the District of Columbia, Military Courts, and the Court of Veterans Appeals.

Structure of the Federal Courts and the Federal Courts

In the words of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts: The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. Article III of the U.S. Constitution created the Supreme Court and authorized Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. In the federal court system’s present form, 94 district-level trial courts and 13 courts of appeals sit below the Supreme Court.


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