Explain the Organization of the Federal Court System, Essay Example

What type of cases are heard in each of the different courts?

The judicial branch of government is presented by a system of U.S. federal courts. Their function is to “guard the Constitution” by applying the law to dispute resolution at all levels. The courts protect constitutional rights and liberties.

According to the Constitution, the President of the United States appoints judges of all federal courts and the candidates are approved by the Senate. Only impeachment and conviction of Congress can make a judge leave his / her place. The pay of federal judges should remain permanent and never be lessened.

The United States are divided into 12 circuits (judicial districts). The court system is then subdivided into 94 eastern, central, and southern districts. Each district contains a court of appeals, regional district courts and bankruptcy courts. The court of appeals reviews the decisions of district courts in the corresponding circuit in case of appeal and, in its turn, appeals to decisions of federal regulatory agencies. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit hears cases related to patents, international trade etc. The district courts hear the multitude of cases concerning federal civil and criminal laws. The bankruptcy courts work with bankruptcy cases. Their role, according to the law of bankruptcy, is to protect an honest debtor from being completely ruined and to satisfy the creditors in an orderly manner. The Supreme Court mainly works with appeals to decisions of lower federal and state courts and makes sure the active legislation is interpreted correctly in difficult cases. There are also two special courts of nationwide jurisdiction: U.S. Court of International Trade (for cases involving trade with foreign countries and customs), and U.S. Court of Federal Claims (monetary damages inflicted on the U.S. government).