What is the composition of the federal court system in the U.S.?

The federal court system in the U.S. is composed of 94 District Courts, 13 Courts of Appeals, and 1 Supreme Court. This structure is crucial for understanding how the judiciary operates at the federal level.

District Courts serve as the trial courts of the federal system, where cases are first heard, and they have jurisdiction over a wide variety of civil and criminal matters. The 94 District Courts are spread throughout the country, with at least one in every state and additional ones in larger districts.

The Courts of Appeals, often referred to as Circuit Courts, function as intermediate appellate courts that review decisions made by the District Courts. They are responsible for ensuring that the law was correctly interpreted and applied in initial trials.

At the top of the federal court hierarchy is the Supreme Court, which serves as the highest court in the land. It has the ultimate authority on legal interpretation and can choose which cases it will hear, typically focusing on significant constitutional issues or disputes that may have widespread impact.

This framework of 94 District Courts, 13 Courts of Appeals, and 1 Supreme Court establishes a clear system for addressing a wide range of legal issues while allowing for an efficient appellate process to ensure justice at the federal level.