Federal court systems are a branch of the United States government that deals with federal law. Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases involving federal law, the U.S. Constitution, disputes between states, and crimes committed on federal property. Federal courts also handle bankruptcy cases and some admiralty laws (cases involving maritime issues).
The federal court system’s structure is similar to that of state court systems. There are three levels of federal courts: district courts, circuit courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court. District courts are the primary trial courts in the national system, and there are 94 districts in the United States. The circuit courts are appellate courts that hear appeals from decisions made by district courts. The U.S.
When you need to file a case in a federal court, the first step is learning about the federal court filing system. The way cases are filed and processed can vary from district to district. In some districts, all filings must be made at the clerk’s office. In other districts, filings can be made online or by mailing in the documents.
