What is the difference between federal court and the US Supreme Court?

Answer 1

The Supreme Court of the United States interprets and rules on the Constitution of the United States, and its decisions affect the entire country. A state Supreme Court interprets and rules on the constitution and laws of that state, and its decisions only affect the State over which it has jurisdiction.

Answer 2

The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States for cases involving federal law and constitutional issues. It is also considered the head of the Judicial branch of government.

The 94 United States District Courts are courts of original jurisdiction (trial courts) where cases are first heard on the basis of evidence and testimony, resulting in a decision about whether the defendant (or respondent, in some cases) is guilty of the accusations against him or her.

The appellate courts, like the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts, and the Supreme Court which has original and appellate jurisdiction, on the other hand, are not triers of fact. They don't consider the defendant's guilt or innocence, but evaluate whether the defendant's legal or constitutional rights were violated. Sometimes (though not always) they determine whether the judge made a procedural error, like giving inappropriate instructions to a jury, that resulted in a biased outcome. The purpose of the appeals courts is to ensure that the defendant gets a fairhearing in the trial court.

If a defendant deserves a rehearing or other form of relief, the appellate court typically remands the case (sends it back) to the trial court (District Court) for disposition.

Answer 3

There is only one Supreme Court, while there are thousands of regular courts.

The Supreme Court makes the final decision on all cases which gain appeal to it. Therefore, once the Supreme Court has made a decision it is final.

The only way a Supreme Court decision can be appealed is by the case again going through the whole process of appeal through the lower "regular" courts then coming up again to the Supreme Court. Even then the Supreme Court can rule that it has already ruled on such a case, and therefore will not hear the appeal.

That is partly why the Supreme Court is known as the "court of last resort."

For more information about the federal court system, see Related Questions, below.

Answer 4

"Federal court" refers to any court that hears cases related to United States law, the Constitution, or the US government, as opposed to state, county or municipal courts that hear more local matters.

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court, and is head of the Judicial branch of the United States government.

Answer 5

Municipal courts typically try cases related to the laws of the city, town, or sometimes county in which they're located, and may hold preliminary hearings in criminal cases, which are then referred to the state. Municipal courts don't create precedents for other courts to follow.

A supreme court is the highest appellate court in the state or federal court system over which it has jurisdiction. The decisions of a state supreme court are final with regard to state and municipal laws and the state constitution, and may not be appealed unless the case contains a preserved US constitutional question that makes it eligible to file a petition with the US Supreme Court. The US Supreme Court's decisions are final and create binding precedents that apply to all other courts.

Answer 6

the supreme court has more power than the local court

Answer 7

The supreme court is the highest court of all.