What are the three levels characteristic of the federal judiciary? What are some of the differences between the state and federal court systems in America?

Question

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Answer 1

The federal judiciary consists of three levels: U.S. district courts, U.S. courts of appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court. U.S. district courts are the trial courts of the federal system and have original jurisdiction over all cases involving alleged violations of federal statutes. There are 94 judicial districts staffed by nearly 650 district court judges. Additionally, these federal judges are assisted by U.S. magistrate judges who have the power to hear arraignments, set bail, and issue warrants.

The U.S. courts of appeals are sometimes referred to as circuit courts. Each circuit court hears appeals from the district courts located within its circuit. There are 13 courts of appeals, each staffed by a minimum of six judges.

The highest court in the pyramid of federal courts is the U.S. Supreme Court. Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, this Court is staffed by 9 justices who are nominated by the president, are confirmed by the Senate, and serve a term for life. Their power is immense, as they have the authority for judicial review over any lower-court decision from both state and federal courts.

There are several key differences between the state and federal court systems. First, the two court systems have different jurisdiction over various issues of law. Second, the number of cases processed by the two systems is very different. Far more cases are processed through state courts than the federal court system. Third, the types of cases processed by the two systems are different, as many more misdemeanors and offenses are processed in state court systems. Finally, state court systems are much more likely to have instituted some informal type of court, such as dispute-resolution centers, to handle some cases.