The Federal Court System
Gabby Watkins
U.S. District Courts
- federal courts where trials are held and lawsuits begin
- every state has at least one, but larger states may have two or three
- district courts have original jurisdiction
- hear both civil and criminal cases
U.S. Court of Appeals
- those who lose in district courts will often appeal to the the U.S. Court of Appeals
- appeals courts review decisions made in lower level courts
- thirteen total - twelve cover particular geographic area (circuit) while the thirteenth has nationwide jurisdiction
- do not hold trials
- cases are reviewed by a panel of judges who listen to arguments from both sides
- judges can decide: uphold the original decision, reverse the decision, or remand the case
- do not decide guilt or innocence or which side should win a suit
- decide if the original trial was fair and protected the individual's rights
- appeals court decisions are final; few cases are appealed to the Supreme Court
- an appellate judge writes an opinion
How Many Federal Judges Are There?
Each district court has at least two judges, each appeals court has six to twenty-seven judges, and the Supreme Court has nine justices.
Presidential Nominations
- president appoints all federal judges with senate approval
- senatorial courtesy: presidents must submit their nominations for judge to the senators from the nominee's home state
- if a senator objects, the nomination is withdrawn
Magistrate Judges
- decide whether accused should be held in jail or released on bail
- each district court has magistrate judges
- do most of the routine work
- hear preliminary evidence and determine whether the case should go to trial
U.S. Attorneys
- every federal judicial district has a U.S. attorney
- U.S. attorneys look into charges and present evidence in court
- represent the U.S. in civil cases involving the government
Loretta Lynch, current Attorney General
U.S. Marshals
- serve in every federal judicial district
- make arrests
- collect fines
- take convicted people to prison
- protect jurors
- keep order in the court
- serve subpoenas