jump over navigation bar
Consulate SealUS Department of State
Consulate General of the United States Krakow, Poland - Home flag graphic
About the Consulate U.S. Citizen Services Visas to the U.S. U.S. Policy & Issues About the U.S.A. U.S. Embassy Warsaw Polski
About the U.S.A
You Are In: Home > About the U.S.A. > U.S. Government
 
  General Information Arts and Entertainment U.S. Government The Pledge of Allegiance The National Anthem The Nation's Capital The Legislative Branch The Judicial Branch The Great Seal The Flag The Executive Branch The Constitution State Government Political Parties Local Government History of the United States American Holidays U.S. Economy and Business Media in the United States Science and Technology Society Sports in America Geography and Travel

U.S. Government

The Judicial Branch


People line up outside the Supreme Court to listen to arguments. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) ©AP/WWP

The judicial branch is headed by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is the only court specifically created by the Constitution. In addition, Congress has established 13 federal courts of appeals and 95 federal district courts. The president has the authority to appoint federal judges as vacancies occur, including justices of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court meets in Washington, D.C., and the other federal courts are located in cities throughout the United States.

The federal courts hear cases arising out of the Constitution, federal laws and treaties and maritime cases; cases involving foreign citizens or governments; and cases, in which the federal government is itself a party. With minor exceptions, cases come to the Supreme Court on appeal from lower courts. Most of these cases involve disputes over the interpretation and constitutionality of actions taken by the executive branch and of laws passed by Congress or the states.

Abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.

back to top ^
Page Tools:

 Print this article

- Links -

The Supreme Court:
• The United States Supreme Court
• The USSC+ Database of U.S. Supreme Court Opinions
• Supreme Court Decisions
• FindLaw: Supreme Court Opinions
• Highlights of the Supreme Court's 2005-2006 Term
Federal courts:
• Federal Judicial Center
• The Federal Judiciary
• Understanding the Federal Courts
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
State courts:
• State Courts
Publications:
• Outline of U.S. Government: Interpreting the Constitution
• Electronic Journal: The Supreme Court of the United States: Highest Court in the Land
• Electronic Journal: Criminal Justice in the U.S.
• Electronic Journal: Mediation and the Courts
• Electronic Journal: How U.S. Courts Work
Institutions:
• Center for Jury Studies
Other resources:
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Judicial Facts and Figures
• Guide to Law Online
• Links to U.S. Courts




 
 
    This site is managed by the U.S. Department of State.
    External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.
Home | About the Consulate | Citizen Services | Visas | Policy & Issues | About the U.S.A.
Contact Us |  Site Index | Privacy | Webmaster		 Consulate of the United States