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Federal Courts

Definition

Federal courts are the judicial branch of the United States government responsible for hearing cases involving federal law. They consist of various levels, including district courts, appellate courts (circuit courts), and the Supreme Court.

Analogy

Imagine federal courts as different tiers on a wedding cake. Each tier represents a different level of court, with district courts at the bottom handling initial trials, appellate courts in the middle reviewing decisions made by lower courts, and finally, the Supreme Court sitting at the very top as the highest level.

Related terms

Supreme Court: The highest court in the land that has final jurisdiction over all federal cases. It consists of 9 justices who interpret constitutional issues and make significant legal interpretations.

Appellate Courts (Circuit Courts): These intermediate-level federal courts review decisions made by district courts. There are 13 circuit courts spread across various regions within the United States.

District Courts: These are trial-level federal courts where most federal cases begin. They handle both criminal and civil matters within specific geographic areas called districts.