Appellate Courts
Both the state and federal court systems have appellate courts that review cases that were originally tried in a lower court. Examples of federal appellate courts are the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts and the Supreme Court of the United States.
The majority of cases in the US are heard by the various state courts.
Courts that have the authority to be the first courts in which most federal cases are heard are known as district courts. These are the trial courts of the federal judiciary system and are responsible for hearing both civil and criminal cases.
Traffic cases are heard in traffic courts. Sometimes, these limited jurisdiction courts also hear low level misdemeanors.
Federal courts may hear civil cases or criminal cases.
murder
Crimminal and Civil cases.
Twelve of the thirteen US Court of Appeals Circuit Courtshave appellate jurisdiction over cases heard in the 94 US District Courts. The Circuit Courts review decisions or other facets of cases that have been sent them on appeal.
Appeals from the Courts of Military Review are heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF). This court is specifically tasked with reviewing decisions made by the Courts of Military Review, which handle cases involving military personnel. The CAAF's rulings can be further appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States, but only if the Supreme Court chooses to hear the case.
Cases where the decision hinges on the application of a constitutional provision are heard in Constitutional Courts. A good example of such cases would include all cases concerning Freedom of Speech as guaranteed in the First Amendment.
lower district courts
Appealed
Lower courts are where cases are initially started. If they are appealed, they are taken to higher courts.