District Courts
- There are 91 district courts, at least one for each state.
- Each has between 2 and 28 judges.
- Each district has a U.S. Attorney. The U.S. attorney is nominated by the President. They prosecute cases involving violation of federal law and represent the U.S. government in civil cases.
- They are the only federal courts that hold trials and that use juries.
- Courts hear cases of federal crime, bankruptcy, maritime law, naturalization, and civil suits between people of different states.
- Most cases are heard in state and local courts, about 98%. Very few ever reach the level of federal courts, even the lowest level, the district courts.
- Most of these cases are routine and most cases simply end at this level.
- After a case has been tried and a verdict reached the losing party may appeal the decision, this appeal would then go to the courts of appeal.