1. Types of Federal Courts

2. Special Courts Federal Court Structure
Created by Congress to hear cases arising out of some of the narrowly expressed powers
Courts:
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Tax Court
Territorial Courts
U.S. Court of Appeals for Armed Forces
Court of District of Columbia
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims `
Specialty Courts:
U.S. Claims Court, Tax Court (Courts of original jurisdiction)

3. Constitutional Courts
Federal Court Structure `
Formed under Article III of the Constitution
Interpret broad judicial powers
Courts:
94 District Courts
12 U.S. Courts of Appeals
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of International Trade
Federal Appeals Court
(Court of appellate jurisdiction)
Federal District Court
(Court of original jurisdiction)

4. Federal Court Structure
Supreme Court
Federal Court Structure `
Specialty Courts:
U.S. Claims Court, Bankruptcy Court, Tax Court (Courts of original jurisdiction)
Federal District Court
(Court of original jurisdiction)
Federal Appeals Court
(Court of appellate jurisdiction)
The Court of Last Resort
Highest court in the country
Constitutional Issues
9 total (1 Chief Justice)
Has final power of judicial review
Supreme
Court
(Court of last resort; decides Constitutional issues)

6. Where would the case go? Things to Consider Federal or State
Subject matter
Parties involved
Jurisdiction
Original
Appellate
Eliminate Options

7. Federal Court Structure`
Specialty Courts
United States Claims Court, Bankruptcy Court, Tax Court
(Courts of original jurisdiction)
Federal District Court
(Court of original jurisdiction)
Federal Appeals Court
(Court of appellate jurisdiction)
Supreme
Court
(Court of last resort; decides issues regarding the Constitution)

8. State Court Structure Appeals Court State Supreme Court `
(Constitutional Issues)
Appeals Court
(court of appellate jurisdiction)
State District Court
(court of original jurisdiction)