The court system in the United States is a complex and vital part of our government. As an expert in the field, I have a deep understanding of the levels of courts that make up our judicial system. In this article, I will break down the different levels of courts and their roles in our federal and state systems. In the federal system, we have three main levels of courts: United States district courts, United States appellate courts, and state court systems. These levels are designed to work together in a system of “checks and balances” to ensure fair and just outcomes for all cases. The legislative, executive, and judicial branches of our government operate within this system of checks and balances.
This means that while each branch has its own distinct powers, they must also work together to uphold the Constitution and ensure justice for all. For example, federal laws are created by Congress and signed by the president, but it is the role of the judiciary to interpret these laws and determine their constitutionality. State courts are established by the Constitution and laws of each individual state. Each state has its own court system, with a court of last resort (usually referred to as the Supreme Court) at the top. Some states also have an intermediate appellate court between the trial courts and the Supreme Court. Below these appellate courts are state trial courts, which may be called circuit or district courts.
It's important to note that when federal laws refer to “courts of the United States,” they are only referring to federal courts and not state or county courts. This is because our government is based on federalism, which allows for different state judicial systems to function in unique ways. However, most states have adopted a similar structure with at least two levels of courts, and many have three levels. This means that cases can be heard in trial courts, reviewed by appellate courts, and ultimately appealed to the state supreme court. Some states even have two separate supreme courts, one for civil matters and one for criminal cases.
However, there are a few states that do not grant the right to a first appeal, meaning litigants can only request to have their case heard. Overall, there are 209 courts in the federal judicial system with nearly 1770 authorized judges. These courts handle a wide range of cases, including those that are completely based on state law. In these instances, the case can be brought before a federal court under “diversity jurisdiction.”The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the land and has the final say on all federal cases. The court hears arguments in approximately 80 cases per year and resolves over 100 cases without hearing arguments.
Once a circuit court or state supreme court has made a ruling, either party can choose to appeal to the Supreme Court. The role of the trial court is to resolve disputes by determining the facts and applying legal principles to reach a decision. The United States Attorney General, who is part of the executive branch, is the highest-ranking member of the Department of Justice. The court system, whether at the state or federal level, begins with a trial court and ends with the court of last resort. Any case can be appealed to the district court once a final decision has been made. Under the Constitution, it is the president's responsibility to appoint judges to serve in federal district courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court.
Once a case reaches an appellate court or the Supreme Court, both parties will file “briefs” arguing why they believe the trial court's decision should be upheld or reversed. The federal district court is where all cases that involve federal laws, the Constitution, or treaties begin. Decisions made in the district court can be appealed to the circuit court, and appeals against district court decisions are heard by the Supreme Court of the United States. Senators also play a role in the appointment of judges. They are responsible for recommending candidates for federal courts in their respective states. The Judiciary Committee of the United States House of Representatives is responsible for considering and recommending legislation related to the judiciary. If a state's highest court (usually the state's supreme court) makes a ruling on a case involving the First Amendment's right to free speech, that case can be appealed to the federal Supreme Court.
Additionally, there is a Federal Circuit Court of Appeals that has national jurisdiction over specific issues such as patents.
