The U.S. federal court system enforces federal laws and regulations, by applying and interpreting the Constitution of the United States, profoundly influencing public policy, and resolving important conflicts for any citizen across the country. The federal courts derive their power directly from Article III of the U.S. Constitution, and this power extends across the entire nation and the states. Article III states in part that “judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority.”
About 1 million cases are filed annually within the federal courts, and although a seemingly high number, the federal courts’ authority is significantly limited compared to state courts’. The variety of cases in federal court include disputes over the constitutionality of a law; disputes between two or more states; matters involving ambassadors and public ministers; specific interpretations and enforcement of federal laws, such as bankruptcy and immigration; and treaties with foreign countries.
Jurisdiction defines whether a court has the power to adjudicate a case. A court’s jurisdiction can be over a person charged with violating a federal law punishable as a crime or can be civil disputes. In the civil context, a substantial factor on deciding whether a claim can be brought in federal court depends on its subject matter jurisdiction, divided basically into federal question jurisdiction, diversity jurisdiction, and supplemental jurisdiction.
Federal question jurisdiction encompasses issues concerning the U.S. Constitution or other federal statutes or regulations. Diversity jurisdiction authorizes federal courts to hear disputes for which the opposing parties are each citizens of different states. When no federal question is involved, diversity jurisdiction allows citizens with distinct state citizenships to have a fair and neutral forum to have their cases heard subject to limitations in the amount in controversy of US$75,000 or more. Supplemental jurisdiction gives authority to federal courts to adjudicate a claim that would typically not fall within their jurisdiction but is related to a claim already before the federal court. This type of jurisdiction is discretionary but usually involves one claim falling within federal question jurisdiction as well as a related state court claim.
On a basic level, the majority of cases in federal court start at the district court level, which serves as the trial court in the federal system. There are also specialty courts to handle matters such as tax, immigration, and bankruptcy. The size of the area served and the location of a district court varies throughout the nation based on population. The district courts have original jurisdiction over most categories of federal cases, including both civil and criminal. As of 2018, there are 94 district courts in 89 districts in the 50 states and territories. As of 2017, there were 667 permanent district judges authorized by Congress.
A party unsatisfied with the decision at the district level is afforded a limited appeal to 1 of the 13 appellate courts divided into 12 regions. Strict procedural limitations apply to appeals to these U.S. Courts of Appeal who sit just below the highest court of the land—the Supreme Court. The appellate court system is named the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. It hears specialized cases such as those involving patent laws or cases decided by the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Once the appellate circuit court has issued its decision on the appeal, the case could be remanded back to the district court for further consideration, a party could request a rehearing of the case, or the party could appeal directly to the Supreme Court by requesting a writ of certiorari. As of 2017, there are 179 federal judges in the courts of appeal.
The Supreme Court of the United States, known as the highest court in the land, primarily is an appellate court of last resort, hearing appeals from both state supreme courts and lower federal courts. Four of the nine Justices of the Supreme Court must choose to issue a writ of certiorari, allowing the Supreme Court to consider making a decision on a case. Each year only a small percentage of cases appealed to the Supreme Court receive review. The Court limits its consideration to those cases involving the most important questions of interpretation and fair application of the U.S. Constitution and federal law. The Supreme Court has very limited original jurisdiction on matters they decide from beginning to end.
All federal judges, at the district and appellate levels, serve with life tenure being nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The federal court system is complicated and possesses immense power and authority. The federal court system enforces and interprets the U.S. constitution and laws, ensures and protects citizens’ rights, and profoundly influences public policy.
References:
- Federal Bar Association, About U.S. Federal Courts. Retrieved from http://www.fedbar.org/Public-Messaging/About-US-Federal-Courts_1.aspx
- Federal Court Concepts, Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts. Retrieved from http://adacourse.org/ courtconcepts/juris.html