The judicial system, along with the executive and legislative systems, comprise the three branches of the U.S. government. The judicial branch is composed of federal and state courts and the judges who preside in these courts. The purpose of the judiciary is to interpret laws and make rulings on legal questions. Additionally, it determines if laws passed by legislatures, on a national, state, or l…
The power of the various other federal courts has been established by statutes passed by Congress. The courts hear cases from all 50 states and the U.S. territories. The courts are divided into 12 judicial circuits and from there, subdivided into more than 90 judicial districts. The rulings from the federal district courts may be reviewed by one of the 12 judicial circuits of the U.S. court of app…
An appeal is a request to a higher court for a reversal of a lower court's decision. The U.S. Supreme Court is the ultimate appellate court and may review the decisions of lower courts, such as the U.S. Court of Appeals, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and individual state supreme courts. A judgment by the U.S. Supreme Court cannot be appealed. Usually, an appellate court will review…
The process to become a state judge varies by each state. In many, the governor appoints judges, who may then run for retention every few years. In some states, judges are elected political officers. The trial courts on the state level are composed of courts that have general jurisdiction and those with limited jurisdiction. State courts hear cases regarding federal law if the amount in the contro…
Family courts are special courts that deal with legal problems involving family relations. Family courts may handle cases, as defined by statutes, that involve guardianship, child neglect, and juvenile delinquency. Because of the nature of the family courts, the proceedings are sometimes more informal than in civil or criminal courts. A probate court, or surrogate's court, is another special type …
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