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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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….

6. 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

7. 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

8. Appeals Court Judges Judges do not decide guilt of innocence. The rule on whether a persons 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

9. 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