List of courts of the United States

US Court of Appeals and District Court map

United States Court of Federal Claims

High Court of American Samoa

List of Courts of the United States encompasses the various judiciary bodies that operate under the United States Constitution and the laws of the federal government of the United States. The United States federal courts are divided into three main levels: the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Courts of Appeals, and the United States District Courts. Additionally, there are specialized courts that have jurisdiction over certain types of cases.

Supreme Court of the United States

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the country. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all federal courts and over state court cases that involve a point of federal law. The Supreme Court also has original jurisdiction over a small range of cases.

United States Courts of Appeals

The United States Courts of Appeals are the intermediate appellate courts. They are divided into 13 circuits, 12 of which are regional and one, the Federal Circuit, has nationwide jurisdiction over specific matters such as patents and trade.

United States District Courts

The United States District Courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. There are 94 districts, which are meant to cover all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States. These courts handle both civil and criminal cases.

Specialized Courts

In addition to the general courts, there are several specialized courts with jurisdiction over certain types of cases or issues:

• United States Court of International Trade, which deals with cases involving international trade and customs laws.
• United States Tax Court, which handles disputes between taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service.
• United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, which reviews certain military justice cases.
• United States Court of Federal Claims, which hears claims for money damages against the U.S. government.
• United States Bankruptcy Courts, which deal with bankruptcy cases. Bankruptcy courts are considered units of the district courts.

State Courts

Each of the 50 states has its own court system, which is separate from the federal courts. State courts have jurisdiction over cases involving state laws. These courts can range from trial courts at the lowest level to state supreme courts at the highest level. While not part of the federal system, state courts often handle cases that can be appealed to the federal level.

Territorial Courts

The United States also has courts in its territories, such as the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, the District Court of Guam, and the District Court of the Virgin Islands. These courts are similar to district courts but have jurisdiction over federal law cases in their respective territories.

Administrative Office of the United States Courts

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts is the agency that provides administrative support to the federal court system. It helps to ensure the smooth operation of the courts and offers a range of services, including legal education and research.