1. The Federal Court System

2. District Courts
Each state has 1-4 federal districts, depending on population
Courts of original jurisdiction in federal cases
94 total courts in the country
Like state trial courts, one judge and a jury

3. Court of Appeals Hears appeals from U.S. District courts
13 Circuits divided among the country
Only rule on law, not fact
Appeals heard by a panel of judges, not a jury
Judges can affirm the district court decision, reverse the decision, or send it back for a retrial

4. Special Courts U.S. Court of Claims
U.S. Court of Customs and Patent Appeals
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
U.S. Territorial Courts
U.S. Tax Court
U.S. Court of Veteran Appeals

5. Federal Court Judges
Like SCOTUS justices, federal judges are appointed, not elected
Must be confirmed by the Senate
To keep them politically neutral, they given the job for life.
Only removed through impeachment
Extensive legal background, usually lawyers or law professors
Nominations are often politically motivated by the party in the White House (means to continue legacy and ideology)

6. Federal Court Judges (cont.)
President usually nominates judges picked by senators in the state in which they will serve
Often, the Justice Department (Attorney General) helps select potential judges