United States District Court For The Eastern District Of Pennsylvania

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (in case citations, E.D. Pa.) is one of 94 United States district courts. It was established by the Judiciary Act of 1789. The court exercises jurisdiction over matters within its geographical area, which encompasses the eastern part of the state of Pennsylvania. This includes the city of Philadelphia, which is the largest city within the district. The court has its headquarters in the James A. Byrne United States Courthouse in Philadelphia.

History

The Eastern District of Pennsylvania is one of the original 13 courts established by the Judiciary Act of 1789, making it one of the oldest federal courts in the United States. Over the years, the jurisdiction and structure of the court have evolved. Initially, the court had jurisdiction over the entire state of Pennsylvania. However, as the state's population grew and the workload increased, the state was divided into eastern and western districts in 1818.

Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania includes civil and criminal cases that fall under federal law. The court also has appellate jurisdiction over decisions from certain federal administrative agencies and handles bankruptcy cases through its bankruptcy unit. The court's jurisdiction is defined by the United States Constitution, federal laws, and regulations.

Organization

The court is organized into several divisions, each covering specific counties within the Eastern District. These divisions ensure that residents have access to the federal judicial system without the need to travel long distances. The court is presided over by a chief judge, with other judges appointed to serve on the court. Judges of the district court are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate for life terms, in accordance with Article III of the United States Constitution.

Notable Cases

Over its long history, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has presided over numerous notable cases, including those involving constitutional law, civil rights, antitrust, and patent law. These cases have often had a significant impact on federal law and policy.

Facilities

The main courthouse for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is the James A. Byrne United States Courthouse located in Philadelphia. The courthouse is named after James A. Byrne, a former United States Congressman from Pennsylvania. The building houses courtrooms, judges' chambers, and administrative offices.

See Also

• United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• List of United States federal courthouses in Pennsylvania
• Federal judicial district

External Links

• Official website of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• [1] About Federal Courts: Court Role and Structure