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There aren't; the names just cause confusion.

The "Circuit Courts" and the "US Court of Appeals" are the same thing; they are all properly called the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts. The number of Courts is confusing because of the way they're named.

There are thirteen US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts, total. Twelve have territorial jurisdiction over District Courts in different regions of the US and its territories. Eleven Circuits are identified by number, in case Congress decides to make their territories larger or smaller; one is designated specifically for the District of Columbia; and one, the Federal Circuit, is a special appeals court that has nationwide jurisdiction over patent cases and cases heard in the US Court of Federal Claims, etc.

The Thirteen Circuits

  1. US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  2. US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  3. US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  4. US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  5. US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  6. US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  7. US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  8. US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  9. US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  10. US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  11. US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  12. US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  13. US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
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Q: Why do you think there are fewer federal appeals courts than federal district courts?
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Related questions

What are the levels of the federal court system?

Three:Trial courts (US District Court, US Court of International Trade)Appellate Courts (US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts)Supreme Court of the United States


How many levels are the federal courts of general jurisdiction organized into?

Three.US District CourtsThe 94 US District Courts are the trial courts of the federal judiciary. They have jurisdiction over most types of cases, both civil and criminal, within their geographical territory. Appeals from US District Courts go to the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts.US Courts of AppealsThere are thirteen United States Courts of Appeals Circuit Courts comprising the intermediate appellate step between the District Courts and the Supreme Court. Twelve of these courts handle cases from District Courts within their geographical territory. The Circuits are specifically referred to by name or number; for example, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit or United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The thirteenth Circuit court is the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which has nationwide jurisdiction over cases from the courts of International Trade and Federal Claims. They also patent cases.Supreme Court of the United StatesAlthough we often refer to the highest court in the nation as the US Supreme Court (to distinguish it from state supreme courts), the official name is the Supreme Court of the United States, often abbreviated SCOTUS.The nine justices (one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices) primarily hear cases on appeal from the Circuit Courts, although they may hear certain types of cases directly from the US District Courts, and also from state supreme courts, if the case involves a preserved matter of federal or constitutional law.Most cases are submitted to the Supreme Court on a petition for a writ of certiorari, a request for the Court to review the petitioner's case. The Court receives more than 10,000 petitions a year, and accepts fewer than 100 for oral argument. The Court has sole discretion over which cases it hears, so the justices choose matters of national importance or issues where the constitution is being interpreted inconsistently or in opposition to the Court's opinion.


What are the 3 levels of Federal courts?

LEVELSThe three levels are:Trial levelAppellate levelSupreme CourtTrial level includes many types of courts, such as the District Court, Bankruptcy Court, Court of Federal Claims and other courts with specialized subject matter jurisdiction.The Appellate levelis the US Court of Appeals, to which an appeal of decisions from any trial level court may be taken.The Supreme Court is where appeals from decisions in the Court of Appeals are taken. The decision of the Supreme Court is final.FEDERAL COURTS AT ABOVE LEVELSThe three courts of general jurisdiction that make up the Judicial branch of the federal government are:US District Courts (trial level)The 94 US District Courts are the trial courts of the federal judiciary. They have jurisdiction over most types of cases, both civil and criminal, within their geographic areas. Appeals from US District Courts go to the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts.US Courts of Appeals (intermediate appellate level)There are thirteen United States Courts of Appeals Circuit Courts comprising the intermediate appellate step between the District Courts and the Supreme Court. Twelve of these courts handle cases from District Courts within their geographic areas. The Circuits are specifically referred to by name or number; for example, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit or United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The thirteenth Circuit court is the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which has What_are_the_three_levels_of_the_US_federal_court_systemjurisdiction over cases from the courts of International Trade and Federal Claims. They also review patent and copyright cases.Supreme Court of the United States (final appellate level)Although we often refer to the highest court in the nation as the US Supreme Court (to distinguish it from state supreme courts), the official name is the Supreme Court of the United States, often abbreviated SCOTUS.The nine justices (one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices) primarily hear cases on appeal from the Circuit Courts, although they may hear certain types of cases directly from the US District Courts, and also from state supreme courts, if the case involves a preserved matter of federal or constitutional What_are_the_three_levels_of_the_US_federal_court_system.Most cases are submitted to the Supreme Court on a petition for a writ of certiorari, a request for the Court to review the petitioner's case. In 2009, the Court received more than 7,700 petitions, and accepted fewer than 100 for oral argument. The Court has sole discretion over which cases it hears, so the justices choose matters of national importance or issues where the constitution is being interpreted inconsistently or in opposition to the Court's opinion.


Are the Circuit Courts and the Courts of Appeals the same thing?

The twelve US Courts of Appeals Circuit Courts with territorial jurisdiction and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit are all intermediate appellate courts within the federal court system. The decision of any Circuit Court may be appealed only to the US Supreme Court.


What are the three US courts mentioned in your homework?

There are more than three US (or federal) courts, but the three best-known courts are the Article III courts of general jurisdiction:US District CourtsThe 94 US District Courts are the trial courts of the federal judiciary. They have jurisdiction over most types of cases, both civil and criminal, within their geographic areas. Appeals from US District Courts go to the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts.US Courts of Appeals Circuit CourtsThere are thirteen United States Courts of Appeals Circuit Courts comprising the intermediate appellate step between the District Courts and the Supreme Court. Twelve of these courts handle cases from District Courts within their geographic areas. The Circuits are specifically referred to by name or number; for example, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit or United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The thirteenth Circuit court is the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which has nationwide jurisdiction over cases from the courts of International Trade and Federal Claims. They also review patent cases and other matters.Supreme Court of the United StatesAlthough we often refer to the highest court in the nation as the US Supreme Court (to distinguish it from state supreme courts), the official name is the Supreme Court of the United States, often abbreviated SCOTUS.The nine justices (one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices) primarily hear cases on appeal from the Circuit Courts, although they may hear certain types of cases directly from the US District Courts, and also from state supreme courts, if the case involves a preserved matter of federal or constitutional law.Most cases are submitted to the Supreme Court on a petition for a writ of certiorari, a request for the Court to review the petitioner's case. In 2009, the Court received more than 7,700 petitions, and accepted fewer than 100 for oral argument. The Court has sole discretion over which cases it hears, so the justices choose matters of national importance or issues where the Constitution is being interpreted inconsistently or in opposition to the Court's opinion.For more information, see Related Questions, below.


What is federal court?

United States Federal Court SystemArticle III of the United States Constitution set out out to create three separate and unique branches of power: the Legislative, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the executive, including the president and its administration and the Judiciary. The Judiciary was established to protect the rights and freedoms that are ensured in the U.S. constitution. Unlike state courts, federal courts (under the judiciary branch) have the ability to change a ruling previously established by lowers courts, therefore allowing Federal Courts to make a peremptory decisions. However, only through the Court of Appeals can a citizens bring their case to a federal level. All federal cases must reviewed by the Court of Appeals to render certain that the case pertains to federal law as enacted in the United States constitution. Once a decision is made in a federal court, all lower courts must submit to the federal courts ruling.


A District Court of Appeals rules that a murder conviction will not be overturned The defense will appeal this decision to which court?

The state supreme court, then the national supreme court. However, the defense must have a valid reason that the court should take the case, because both Supreme courts take far fewer cases than Criminal and Appeals courts do.


What are the courts below the US Supreme Court called?

JUDICIAL BRANCH (Article III)US District CourtsThe 94 US District Courts are the trial courts of the federal judiciary. They have jurisdiction over most types of cases, both civil and criminal, within their geographical territory. Appeals from US District Courts go to the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts.US Court of International TradeThe US Court of International Trade is located in New York City, and has nationwide jurisdiction over cases involving customs and other international trade disputes under federal law. Congress established this court under the Customs Courts Act of 1980 in order to extend the jurisdiction of the former US Customs Court.US Courts of Appeals Circuit CourtsThere are thirteen United States Courts of Appeals Circuit Courts comprising the intermediate appellate step between the District Courts and the Supreme Court. Twelve of these courts handle cases from District Courts within their geographical territory. The Circuits are specifically referred to by name or number; for example, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit or United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The thirteenth Circuit court is the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which has nationwide jurisdiction over cases from the courts of International Trade and Federal Claims. They also hear patent cases.Supreme Court of the United StatesAlthough we often refer to the highest court in the nation as the US Supreme Court (to distinguish it from state supreme courts), the official name is the Supreme Court of the United States, often abbreviated SCOTUS.The nine justices (one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices) primarily hear cases on appeal from the Circuit Courts, although they may hear certain types of cases directly from the US District Courts, and also from state supreme courts, if the case involves a preserved matter of federal or constitutional law.Most cases are submitted to the Supreme Court on a petition for a writ of certiorari, a request for the Court to review the petitioner's case. The Court receives more than 10,000 petitions a year, and accepts fewer than 100 for oral argument. The Court has sole discretion over which cases it hears, so the justices choose matters of national importance or issues where the constitution is being interpreted inconsistently or in opposition to the Court's opinion.Legislative Branch Courts (Article I)Article I courts and tribunals are those the Constitution authorizes Congress to create under Article I and are part of the Legislative Branch as well as the federal court system, but not part of the Judicial Branch, as listed above. Judges of Article I courts are appointed to 15-year renewable terms of office.US Bankruptcy CourtsEach of the 94 Districts has a special jurisdiction US Bankruptcy Court that hears cases from individuals and businesses that can no longer pay their creditors. All bankruptcy cases are handled in federal court, not state court. Bankruptcy cases may first be appealed to either District Court or to the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel. Certain cases may next qualify for review by the Circuit Courts, but only with the permission of the US Solicitor General. Cases that involve constitutional issues may appeal from the Circuit Court to the US Supreme Court; however, if the Supreme Court grants cert, it will only consider the constitutional or legal aspect of the case.Other Article I CourtsArticle I courts and tribunals have limited jurisdiction over special subject matter, and are designed to adjudicate issues between US citizens and residents and specific departments within government. Some examples are Social Security Disability Appeals, US Court of Veterans Claims, US Bankruptcy Court, US Tax Court, US Tax Court, US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, etc.Although these courts are part of a different branch of government, some may have their decisions appealed to the Supreme Court.


Which of these is a case where the original jurisdiction is the federal courts?

United States District CourtsThe country is divided into many federal judicial "districts" each with its own US District Court and panel of judges. Any cases emanating from lower courts within the district would begin with that particular "District Court" and then, if necessary, proceed to the US Court of Appeals for [x] Circuit (whatever Circuit the particularly District Court happens to be in). The court with "original jurisdiction" is a trial court, the entry point into the judiciary. For cases of general jurisdiction, the United States District Courts have original jurisdiction over most cases. There are also "special" or "limited subject matter" jurisdiction courts, such as US Tax Court and US Bankruptcy Court that fall under the District Court umbrella (there are many limited subject matter courts that are not part of the District Court system, but these probably hear fewer cases each year). The US Supreme Court also hears a limited number of cases under original jurisdiction, mostly disputes between the states.


How does a US Supreme Court decision that reverses a lower court decision affect federal dockets?

If the US Supreme Court reverses a lower court decision on the basis of application or constitutionality of a law, it provides grounds for appeal in x-number of cases, which would make the US Court of Appeals Circuit Court docket busier, unless the Court's decision is very narrow (affecting fewer cases). Some reversals would have a more significant impact on appellate dockets than others. On the other hand, a reversal may relieve the US District Courts (trial courts) of part of their caseload if the courts are able to dismiss cases on the basis of the new decision.


Who are decisions made by in courts of appeals?

Courts of appeals are generally presided by appeals court judges. Appeals to supreme courts are handled by what are known as Justices. Normally appeals court judges are panel of between three and five judges. Supreme Court Justices are generally up to nine.


How does the appellate court relate to the Supreme Court?

Federal and state supreme courts (or their equivalent) are the highest appellate courts in their jurisdiction and have authority to make the final decision on a case under review.Supreme courts usually have what's informally known as "intermediate appellate courts" immediately below them. In the federal judiciary, the US Supreme Court is higher than the thirteen US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts (intermediate appellate courts).Some of the differences are:The Supreme Courts set binding precedents for all courts in a given state or nation, whereas intermediate appellate courts only set binding precedents fewer courts or a smaller territory.Supreme Courts have much more latitude (discretion) over the cases they hear; intermediate appellate courts have mandatory jurisdiction over more types of cases.There is usually only one supreme court for a given state or nation (although Texas has two), but many intermediate appellate courts.The intermediate appellate courts here more cases.Supreme courts consider cases en banc (as a full court); intermediate appellate courts are more likely to assign one judge or a three-judge panel to review a case, although they do occasionally hear cases en banc, as well.