1. Federal District Courts
Federal District courts have original jurisdiction (first) in most federal cases.
Each state has at least one Federal District court. (some more)
90 percent of all federal court work (300,000 cases per year)

2. US District Court -Knoxville, TN

3. District Court Judges Each court has at least 2 judges.
Federal Court judges decide procedures in the court, explain the law in a case, punishment or fine.
Appointed by President, approved by the Senate

4. Other District Court Officers
Several Officials help District Courts:
Magistrate-issues court orders, hears preliminary evidence to see if a case should be brought to trial

5. Other District Court Officers
U.S. Attorney-the government’s lawyer, proves if a suspect commits a crime, has dozens of assistant U.S. attorneys who perform most of the trial work.
U.S. Marshal-makes arrests, serves subpoenas

6. U.S. Courts of Appeals
Courts of Appeals have only appellate jurisdiction (appeals only)
The losing side in a case may decide to appeal a ruling based on wrong procedure, misapplication of the law, new evidence….

7. U.S. Courts of Appeals
Present system established in 1891 to ease the burden of the Supreme Court
Today 12 courts of appeals have jurisdiction over a certain geographic area called a Circuit.
Each court receives cases from the district courts in its own circuit

9. YOUR circuit…..

10. Appeals Court Judges Each court has from 6 to 27 judges
Appointed for life
No Juries in appeals courts
Cases are decided by a panel of at least 3 judges

11. Appeals Court Judges
Judges do not decide guilt or innocence. They rule on whether a person’s rights have been protected or whether there was a fair trial
Judges may overturn the lower courts ruling, uphold it, or send the case back for a new trial

12. Special Federal Courts
U.S. Tax Court-hears tax law appeals
U.S. Court of Federal Claims-when citizens sue the govt.
U.S. Court of Military Appeals-for military people to appeal a court-martial
U.S. Court of International Trade-trade disputes from tariff/trade laws

13. Federal Courts Review Where is YOUR Federal District Court?
Where is YOUR Circuit Court of Appeals?
What is YOUR Circuit Court of Appeals?
Are cases heard by a jury in Federal District Court?
Are cases heard by a jury in Federal Appeals Court?