What is a US District Court?
A US District Court is a federal trial court that handles both civil and criminal cases within its jurisdiction. These courts are created by Congress under Article III of the Constitution and are part of the federal judiciary system.
Jurisdiction and Structure
US District Courts have original jurisdiction over most federal cases, including those involving violations of federal laws, disputes between citizens of different states, and cases involving the federal government. Each state has at least one district court, with some states having multiple districts.
Types of Cases Heard
US District Courts hear a wide range of cases, including criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits, bankruptcy cases, and appeals from federal administrative agencies. They also handle cases involving constitutional issues, immigration, intellectual property, and more.
Case Study: United States v. Nixon
In one of the most famous cases, the US District Court for the District of Columbia heard the case of United States v. Nixon in 1974. This case led to the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision that the president is not above the law and must comply with court orders.
Statistics
- There are a total of 94 US District Courts in the United States.
- Each district court is presided over by one or more district judges appointed by the president.
- Over 300,000 cases are filed in US District Courts each year.
