The federal courts have the judicial responsibility to rule on the constitutionality of federal laws, to interpret and to apply the laws to resolve disputes. The federal courts have "limited" jurisdiction in that they can only decide certain types of cases as determined by Congress or defined in the Constitution. That means the federal courts decide cases interpreting the Constitution, all federal laws, federal regulations and rules, and controversies between states or between the United States and foreign governments.
U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court's primary function is to hear cases that question the constitutionality of federal or state statutes. It also hears cases on appeal from the states' highest courts, the federal Courts of Appeal, and the federal District Courts.
U.S. Courts of Appeals
There are thirteen U.S. Courts of Appeals including eleven numbered circuits which have regional jurisdiction, a District of Columbia Circuit, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit located in Washington, D.C. These courts hear appeals from the U.S. District Courts. Federal appeals court opinions are binding on U.S. District Courts within the circuit and may be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
U.S. District Courts
The trial court and court of original jurisdiction in the federal system is the United States District Court. District Courts hear civil and criminal cases arising under federal law and cases where citizens of two or more states are in conflict. At least one district, usually more, exists in each state. District Courts usually do not extend across state lines.
The U.S. Supreme Court's primary function is to hear cases that question the constitutionality of federal or state statutes. It also hears cases on appeal from the states' highest courts, the federal Courts of Appeal, and the federal District Courts.
May It Please the Court -- KF4748.M39 1993
Tape cassettes of the most significant oral arguments made before the Supreme Court since 1955. Located at the Circulation Desk.