The Judiciary

The Supreme Court, the courts of appeals, the district courts, and the specialized tribunals that make up the federal court system.

Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts

The agency that runs the business side of the federal judiciary, from its budget to its case-filing systems

Article I vs. Article III Courts

Why some federal judges serve for life and others for fixed terms, and which cases each kind may decide

Federal Judicial Center

The research and education agency of the federal courts

Federal Public Defenders

The system that provides lawyers to people charged with federal crimes who cannot afford one

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court

The secret federal court that approves government surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes

Judicial Conference of the United States

The policymaking body of the federal courts, led by the Chief Justice

The Federal Judiciary

The third branch: one Supreme Court, thirteen circuits, ninety-four districts, and judges who serve for life

The Supreme Court of the United States

The highest court in the country: nine justices, life tenure, and the last word on the Constitution

The Thirteen Federal Circuits

How the country is divided among the federal courts of appeals, and why the line on the map can decide a case

The U.S. Courts of Appeals

Thirteen circuit courts that decide tens of thousands of appeals a year and, for most cases, have the final word

The U.S. District Courts

The ninety-four trial courts where federal cases begin, juries sit, and most disputes end

U.S. Bankruptcy Courts

The specialized units of the district courts that handle every bankruptcy case in the country, from individual debtors to major corporations and cities

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

The civilian court at the top of the military justice system, reviewing courts-martial from every service

U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit

The appeals court in Washington that reviews more federal agency actions than any other, often called the second most important court in the country

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

The thirteenth federal appeals court, defined by subject rather than geography, with nationwide jurisdiction over patents, trade, and claims against the government

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

The independent court that reviews decisions denying veterans' disability and other benefits

U.S. Court of Federal Claims

The court where people and companies sue the federal government for money, from contract disputes to takings and vaccine injuries

U.S. Court of International Trade

The national trial court in New York that hears disputes over tariffs, customs, and trade laws

U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services

The officers of the federal courts who investigate defendants, write sentencing reports, and supervise people released into the community

U.S. Sentencing Commission

The independent agency in the judicial branch that writes the federal sentencing guidelines

The court where taxpayers can challenge an IRS deficiency before paying the disputed tax