U.S. Federal Court System
Federal courts handle all immigration; bankruptcy; copyright; patent; and federal criminal cases. Like state courts, the U.S. federal court system is structured into lower trial courts (U.S. District Courts); appellate courts that review lower court decisions (U.S. Courts of Appeals); and a high court that reviews U.S. District Court decisions as well as state supreme court rulings (U.S. Supreme Court). This section provides an overview of the U.S. federal court system, including articles about the U.S. Supreme Court; the meaning and function of the Supremacy Clause; an introduction to the federal court system; and more.
- Introduction to the Federal Court System
Brief overview of how the U.S. federal court system is structured, from the district courts to the U.S. Supreme Court
- The U.S. Supreme Court - Overview
Primer on the various elements and functions of the U.S. Supreme Court, including Constitutional origin and rulemaking power
- The Supremacy Clause and the Doctrine of Preemption
Explanation of how and when federal law trumps state and local law, with examples of historical developments
- Federal Court Locator
Map-based directory of U.S. federal courts, including addresses and phone numbers (Admin. Office of the U.S. Courts)
- Bankruptcy Court Listings
Directory of U.S. bankruptcy courts, organized by state (with links to court Websites)
- Immigration Court Listings
Immigration court directory, organized by state and region (U.S. Department of Justice)
- Federal vs. State Courts - Key Differences
- How are Judges Selected?
- How Does the U.S. Supreme Court Decide Whether to Hear a Case?
- Introduction to the Federal Court System
- The Supremacy Clause and the Doctrine of Preemption
- The U.S. Supreme Court - Overview
- What Kinds of Cases Can Federal Courts Decide?
- What Types of Federal Courts Are There?