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Supreme Court
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What is the hierarchy of courts in the Judicial Branch?
One Supreme CourtThere is one Supreme Court of the United States that serves as the final appellate court for the Judicial Branch. Supreme Court decisions set binding precedents for the courts below it.Thirteen CircuitsThere are thirteen US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts that serve as intermediate appellate courts between the trial courts and the Supreme Court. Most federal appeals are resolved at the Circuit level. Twelve of the Circuits have territorial jurisdiction over specific regions of the country and the District Courts operating in those regions. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has nationwide jurisdiction over special subject matter cases, such as appeals from the US Court of Federal Claims, and trademark and patent cases.US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts set binding precedents for the US District Courts within their territory, but their decisions are not binding on other Circuits or Districts outside their territory.Ninety-Four DistrictsThere are 94 US District Courts in the United States and its territories, all distributed amongst the federal Circuits. The District Courts are the trial courts that serve as the point of entry to the federal judiciary. District Court decisions are not binding on other courts.One Special Subject Matter CourtThere is one US Court of International Trade in New York City that functions as a trial court at the same level as the US District Courts. The USCIT has subject matter jurisdiction over customs cases and other matters related to international trade disputes.Attempt at Hierarchy Diagram1 US Supreme Court/|\13 US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts/|\94 US District Courts and 1 US Court of International Trade
What is the hierarchy of binding precedents within the federal court system?
US Supreme Court decisions are binding on all federal courts, but are most likely to be applicable to cases heard in US District Courts or appealed to US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts. The Supreme Court's decisions are also binding on State courts if they involve constitutional amendments that have been incorporated to the states.US Court of Appeals Circuit Court decisions are binding on all US District Courts within that Circuit, but only carry persuasive precedential weight in other Circuits. The decisions are not binding on other Circuits or on any state courts. US District Court decisions are not binding on other courts, but may be cited as persuasive precedents by other courts, regardless of which Circuit the court belongs to.When US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts issue conflicting decisions on substantially similar matters (called a Circuit Split), they may induce the US Supreme Court to grant certiorari for a case that can be used to resolve or clarify the constitutional issue. The Supreme Court decision will then create a binding precedent used in deciding similar future cases.When Circuit Splits are unresolved, the individual decisions -- although conflicting -- remain binding within each Circuit, but not outside the Circuit. This raises the possibility that one or more of the other ten regional Circuits* will further complicate matters by creating a third split, resulting in inconsistent constitutional interpretations and application of law. For this reason, reviewing cases that address Circuit Splits are high on the US Supreme Court's list of priorities.* The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has special subject matter jurisdiction and is less likely to be affected by decisions made in the regional Circuits.
What is a decision made by a higher court such as a US Court of Appeals Circuit Court or the US Supreme Court that is binding on all federal courts?
A decision made by a higher court sets a binding precedent for the inferior court(s).
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.
What are differences between constitutional federal courts legislative federal courts and the supreme 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.
What courts are bound by the federal district court for the district of Massachusetts?
None. US District Courts do not establish binding precedents.
What are all of the courts whose decisions are binding upon the federal district court for the District of Massachusetts?
None. U. S. District Courts do not establish binding precedents.
Are all federal appellate court decisions binding on every federal trial court?
No, that's backwards. Binding precedents are set from the top-down.US Supreme Court decisions are binding on all relevant federal (and state) courts.US Court of Appeals Circuit Court decisions are binding only on US District Courts within that Circuit.US District Court decisions are not binding on any other Courts.Non-binding precedents, including dissenting opinions, may be cited as persuasive precedents at any level, however.
On which states are appeals court ruling binding?
On State Courts of Appeal - their rulings are binding on the entire states court system. On the findings of a Federal Appeals Court - they are binding upon the federal district courts within THAT appeals courts circuit.
The doctrine of stare decisis binds judges to follow the prior decisions of?
The doctrine of stare decisis binds judges to follow precedents set by higher appellate courts under which jurisdiction the particular lower court falls.For example, in the federal court system US Supreme Court decisions create binding precedents for all US District Courts and US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts; however, Circuit Court decisions only set binding precedents for the US District Courts within their territorial jurisdiction.The exception to this is decisions of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which has nationwide jurisdiction (below that of the Supreme Court) over special subject-matter cases.
Do lower courts consider Supreme Court precedents when making decisions?
Yes, if appropriate precedents exist for the case before the court. The US Supreme Court sets binding precedents, meaning lower courts are required to adhere to them (but don't always do so) under the doctrine of stare decisis (Latin: Let the decision stand).
What powers does congress have over the federal courts?
Congress has power over the courts because it makes the laws which it must use to try a case. If the court finds the law unconstitutional, they can overturn it.
What does it mean when a decision in state court is persuasive in federal court?
"Persuasive precedents" are decisions that are not binding on a court hearing a similar case, but which contain compelling legal reasoning or logic that the court finds convincing (persuasive) enough to apply to the case at bar. For example, a US District Court judge may agree with a decision made in a comparable state court case, adopt the reasoning, and cite the first case in the opinion of the second case. Only appellate courts with jurisdiction over a lower court may creating binding precedents (decisions that must be followed); a court may choose to follow a non-binding precedent that doesn't conflict with a binding precedent or law. These are commonly referred to as "persuasive precedents."
What is the hierarchy of courts in the Judicial Branch?
One Supreme CourtThere is one Supreme Court of the United States that serves as the final appellate court for the Judicial Branch. Supreme Court decisions set binding precedents for the courts below it.Thirteen CircuitsThere are thirteen US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts that serve as intermediate appellate courts between the trial courts and the Supreme Court. Most federal appeals are resolved at the Circuit level. Twelve of the Circuits have territorial jurisdiction over specific regions of the country and the District Courts operating in those regions. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has nationwide jurisdiction over special subject matter cases, such as appeals from the US Court of Federal Claims, and trademark and patent cases.US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts set binding precedents for the US District Courts within their territory, but their decisions are not binding on other Circuits or Districts outside their territory.Ninety-Four DistrictsThere are 94 US District Courts in the United States and its territories, all distributed amongst the federal Circuits. The District Courts are the trial courts that serve as the point of entry to the federal judiciary. District Court decisions are not binding on other courts.One Special Subject Matter CourtThere is one US Court of International Trade in New York City that functions as a trial court at the same level as the US District Courts. The USCIT has subject matter jurisdiction over customs cases and other matters related to international trade disputes.Attempt at Hierarchy Diagram1 US Supreme Court/|\13 US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts/|\94 US District Courts and 1 US Court of International Trade
Are there courts controlled by the US Supreme Court?
Not directly. The US Supreme Court is the highest federal appellate court in the United States. Lower courts are supposed to follow precedents set by the Court's decisions, but the Supreme Court doesn't exercise operational control over the lower courts.
What is the hierarchy of binding precedents within the federal court system?
US Supreme Court decisions are binding on all federal courts, but are most likely to be applicable to cases heard in US District Courts or appealed to US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts. The Supreme Court's decisions are also binding on State courts if they involve constitutional amendments that have been incorporated to the states.US Court of Appeals Circuit Court decisions are binding on all US District Courts within that Circuit, but only carry persuasive precedential weight in other Circuits. The decisions are not binding on other Circuits or on any state courts. US District Court decisions are not binding on other courts, but may be cited as persuasive precedents by other courts, regardless of which Circuit the court belongs to.When US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts issue conflicting decisions on substantially similar matters (called a Circuit Split), they may induce the US Supreme Court to grant certiorari for a case that can be used to resolve or clarify the constitutional issue. The Supreme Court decision will then create a binding precedent used in deciding similar future cases.When Circuit Splits are unresolved, the individual decisions -- although conflicting -- remain binding within each Circuit, but not outside the Circuit. This raises the possibility that one or more of the other ten regional Circuits* will further complicate matters by creating a third split, resulting in inconsistent constitutional interpretations and application of law. For this reason, reviewing cases that address Circuit Splits are high on the US Supreme Court's list of priorities.* The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has special subject matter jurisdiction and is less likely to be affected by decisions made in the regional Circuits.
What is a decision made by a higher court such as a US Court of Appeals Circuit Court or the US Supreme Court that is binding on all federal courts?
A decision made by a higher court sets a binding precedent for the inferior court(s).
