Federal Court System
The United States federal court system is divided into three main levels: the Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeals (Circuit Courts), and the District Courts. Each level plays a distinct role in interpreting and applying federal law.
Court Hierarchy
Supreme Court of the United States
Final appellate jurisdiction over all federal and state court cases involving federal law
U.S. Courts of Appeals (Circuit Courts)
Intermediate appellate courts organized into 13 circuits
U.S. District Courts
Federal trial courts with original jurisdiction over most federal cases
Specialized Federal Courts
Courts with limited subject matter jurisdiction
U.S. Courts of Appeals by Circuit
The federal appellate courts are organized into 13 circuits, each covering a geographic region or specialized subject matter.
First Circuit
Boston, Massachusetts
Second Circuit
New York City, New York
Third Circuit
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Fourth Circuit
Richmond, Virginia
Fifth Circuit
New Orleans, Louisiana
Sixth Circuit
Cincinnati, Ohio
Seventh Circuit
Chicago, Illinois
Eighth Circuit
St. Louis, Missouri
Ninth Circuit
San Francisco, California
Tenth Circuit
Denver, Colorado
Eleventh Circuit
Atlanta, Georgia
D.C. Circuit
Washington, D.C.
Federal Circuit
Washington, D.C.
Nationwide jurisdiction over specialized matters (patents, international trade, government contracts)