Territorial Court

Territorial Court in the United States

Trial court established by Congress to function in U.S. territories. The Territorial Court (Judicial Organization)s are a unique form of specialized court, although they are part of the federal district court system. These courts handle all the federal judicial matters in the territories of Guam, Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Since there are no state or local courts in these territories, these courts possess that jurisdiction as well. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico operates with its own U.S. district court rather than a Territorial Court (Judicial Organization).

Analysis and Relevance

The Territorial Court (U.S.)s were created by Congress using authority conveyed in Article IV, Section 3, to “make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States.” The people living in the territories are American citizens, and the Territorial Court (U.S.)s provide them with a local system of law virtually identical to that in the United States. Although analogous to district courts, the Territorial Court (U.S.)s have a local jurisdiction unlike their counterparts in the states. Further, unlike district court judges, Territorial Court (U.S.) judges do not have life tenure; rather, they are appointed for eight-year terms.

Notes and References

Definition of Territorial Court from the American Law Dictionary, 1991, California

Territorial Court in the United States