Federal Courts Structure

• The three federal courts are district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court.
• They are called constitutional (or Article III) courts
• Judges who preside over these courts are nominated by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate.
• Judges serve lifetime terms, contingent on "good behavior."
• Legislative courts are set up by Congress under its implied powers, generally for special purposes
• U.S. territorial courts hear federal cases in the territories.
• The U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals is known as the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, dealing with benefits claims by veterans.
• Judges presiding over federal courts are appointed by the president.
• Appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
• Judges serve fixed, limited terms.

District Courts

• District courts were created by Congress with the Judiciary Act of 1789.
• District courts are federal trial courts of original jurisdiction.
• There are 94 federal district courts.
• They are staffed by 667 active judges, with assistance from over 300 retired judges.
• Every state has at least one federal district court.
• California, Texas, and New York each have four federal district courts.
• Cases heard in federal district courts generally fall into one of three categories:
• They involve the federal government as a party.
• They present a federal question based on a claim under the U.S. Constitution, a treaty, or a federal statute.
• They involve civil suits between citizens from different states, where the amount at issue is more than $75,000.
• Cases heard in federal district courts by a single judge with or without a jury.
• Each federal judicial district has a U.S. attorney.
• The U.S. attorney serves as the district's chief law enforcement officer.
• U.S. attorneys are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
• The size of the staff and the number of assistant U.S. attorneys vary with the amount of litigation in each district.
• U.S. attorneys have discretion whether to pursue criminal or civil investigations or file charges against individuals or corporations.
• High-profile positions as U.S. attorneys often serve as springboards for elective office.