United States courts of appeals

US Court of Appeals and District Court map

US Court of Appeals and District Court map

United States Courts of Appeals are intermediate appellate courts within the United States federal court system that hear appeals from the decisions of the district courts, certain administrative agencies, and other federal courts. The United States has 13 courts of appeals: 11 numbered circuits, the District of Columbia Circuit, and the Federal Circuit. Each court has jurisdiction over a specific geographic area and may also have nationwide jurisdiction over certain types of cases.

History

The creation of the United States Courts of Appeals was part of the Evarts Act passed by Congress in 1891. This act was designed to relieve the caseload burden on the Supreme Court of the United States by establishing intermediate appellate courts. Before the establishment of these courts, all appeals went directly to the Supreme Court, significantly delaying the resolution of cases.

Structure

Each Court of Appeals is presided over by a chief judge who has administrative responsibilities over the court. The number of judgeships in each circuit varies, based on the volume of cases in the circuit. Judges on the Courts of Appeals are appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the United States Senate. These judges serve lifetime appointments, under the condition of "good behavior," a provision aimed at ensuring judicial independence.

Circuits

The United States is divided into 13 appellate circuits:

• The First through Eleventh Circuits are geographically defined.
• The District of Columbia Circuit hears appeals from the federal district court in Washington D.C., and has a nationwide jurisdiction over cases involving federal regulations.
• The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has nationwide jurisdiction over specific subject matter, including international trade, government contracts, patents, and trademarks.

Jurisdiction

The Courts of Appeals have appellate jurisdiction over all cases heard in the federal courts, with the exception of cases that by statute are directly appealable to the Supreme Court. They review the factual and legal findings of the district courts and may affirm, reverse, or remand cases for further proceedings. The Courts of Appeals also have the power to review certain decisions of federal administrative agencies.

Procedure

Cases in the Courts of Appeals are generally heard by panels of three judges, though in certain cases, en banc hearings, which involve a larger number of judges, may be convened. The courts do not hear testimony from witnesses or receive new evidence; instead, they base their decisions on the record of the case as it was presented in the district court, including transcripts of the trial, evidence, and the parties' legal arguments.

Significance

The United States Courts of Appeals play a crucial role in the federal judicial system by serving as the final arbiter in most federal cases. Their decisions are binding on the district courts within their respective circuits, except when overruled by the Supreme Court. The Courts of Appeals thus significantly influence the development of federal law and ensure uniformity and consistency in its application across the country.