The difference is the type of jurisdiction they exercise. "First instance" courts, or courts of original jurisdiction, are trial courts that determine guilt or innocence (for example) by looking at evidence, hearing testimony, and listening to attorneys' arguments and theories.
In criminal cases, the defendant has a constitutional right to a jury trial, but may choose a bench trial (heard by a single judge). The jury (or the judge, in a bench trial) are "finders of fact" who determine the credibility of witnesses and evidence, and decide whether the prosecution has proven it's case "beyond a reasonable doubt." Criminal trial courts issue guilty or not guilty verdicts (and variations thereof) on the charges under consideration.
In the federal court system, US District Courts are "first instance" or trial courts for most general civil and criminal suits.
Appeals courts have appellate jurisdiction. They only hear cases where the losing party alleges a problem occurred in the trial that could have resulted in an unfair or wrong verdict.
Appeals courts use a panel of judges (often three) in place of a jury, and do not consider trial evidence in their decision. They automatically stipulate the facts of the case being reviewed are valid, and only rule on serious procedural errors or determine whether an issue or issues in the case conflict with state/federal or constitutional law. They do not decide whether the defendant is guilty or innocent; their responsibility is to ensure the defendant received a fair trial.
In the federal court system, the US Courts of Appeals Circuit Courts are intermediate appeals courts (between US District Courts and the Supreme Court), while the Supreme Court of the United States is the highest appeals court.
Constitutional federal courts are either created or allowed to be created under Article III of the Constitution. For instance, federal district courts and circuit court of appeals are Constitutional federal courts. The Supreme Court also falls under the category of Constitutional Federal Courts and it is the highest court in America. Legislative federal courts, on the other hand, are established by Congress using implied power. For instance, the Court of Military Appeals is a legislative federal court.
General Jurisdiction courts are State Courts and Federal District courts (Including appeals and Supreme courts). Specific/Limited Jurisdictional courts are courts which can only hear certain. There are tax courts, bankruptcy courts, patent and copyright court....
appeals courts
Federal district courts have jurisdiction over trials. Federal appeals courts have jurisdiction over appeals from the federal district courts.
Federal district courts have jurisdiction over trials. Federal appeals courts have jurisdiction over appeals from the federal district courts.
Federal district courts have jurisdiction over trials. Federal appeals courts have jurisdiction over appeals from the federal district courts.
Federal district courts have jurisdiction over trials. Federal appeals courts have jurisdiction over appeals from the federal district courts.
It really depends what kind of courts you are talking about and where the courts are. If the courts are federal, then a district court is a trial court and a circuit court is an appeals court, which may review a trial decision from a district court. For state courts, the difference between a district court and a circuit court will depend on what state the courts are in. Many states have courts called "district court" and "circuit court," but what kinds of cases these courts handle differs state to state.
A court of appeals hears no original cases, it only reviews decisions made by lower courts. A US district court hears original cases, that are in the federal jurisdiction.
AnswerThe US Courts of Appeals Circuit Courts have appellate jurisdiction over cases appealed from US District Courts within their geographical territory (they hear appeals of cases tried in US District Courts).AnswerReview and rule on cases referred to them from the US District Courts under their jurisdiction.
US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts, which is part of the federal judicial system. Of the thirteen intermediate appellate courts, twelve have territorial jurisdiction. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has subject matter jurisdiction over such issues as patent appeals, claims against the United States, etc.For more information on the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts, see Related Links, below.
Courts of appeals review decisions made by lower courts and serve as a step between them and the next higher court, which is usually the supreme court at the state or federal level. They were created to promote efficiency and eliminate backlogs for higher courts.