The Judicial System Structure

Courts Created by Congress – Article III Courts 94 district courts -At least one for each state, DC, PR. Many states have several. 13 Courts of Appeals (One for each region + 1 U.S. Court of Appeals – for patents, copyright, trademark, claims against the U.S., and international trade)

Courts Created by Congress – District Courts Trial courts of original jurisdiction. Hear original cases; no appeals. Only federal courts with trials and juries. Each has between 2 and 27 judges depending on caseload. Jurisdiction – Federal crimes, civil suits under federal law, civil suits that cross state lines and exceed $50,000.

Courts Created by Congress – Courts of Appeal Appellate jurisdiction only. No cases go here first. No juries. No trials. Review final decisions of district courts. Review and enforce orders of federal regulatory agencies (SEC). Normally hear cases in panels of three judges, but may use more for important cases.

Legislative Courts – Article I Courts Special courts established by Congress for specialized purposes. Include Court of Claims, Court of International Trade, Tax Court, Court of Military Appeals. “Article I Courts” – they help carry out Article I of the Constitution – the work of Congress. Judges do not have protections of Article III judges – serve fixed terms, may be removed without impeachment, may have salaries reduced.

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