The courts of the United States are closely linked hierarchical systems of courts at the federal and state levels. The federal courts form the judicial branch of the federal government of the United States and operate under the authority of the United States Constitution and federal law. The state and territorial courts of the individual U.S. states and territories operate under the authority of the state and territorial constitutions and state and territorial law.
Federal statutes that refer to the "courts of the United States" are referring only to the courts of the federal government, and not the courts of the individual states and counties. Because of the federalist underpinnings of the division between sovereign federal and state governments, the various state court systems are free to operate in ways that vary widely from those of the federal government, and from one another. In practice, however, every state has adopted a division of its judiciary into at least two levels, and almost every state has three levels, with trial courts hearing cases which may be reviewed by appellate courts, and finally by a state supreme court. A few states have two separate supreme courts, with one having authority over civil matters and the other reviewing criminal cases. 47 states and the federal government allow at least one appeal of right from a final judgment on the merits, meaning that the court receiving the appeal must decide the appeal after it is briefed and argued properly. Three states do not provide a right to a first appeal. Rather, they give litigants only a right to petition for the right to have an appeal heard.
State courts often have diverse names and structures, as illustrated below. State courts hear about 98% of litigation; most states have courts of special jurisdiction, which typically handle minor disputes such as traffic citations, and courts of general jurisdiction responsible for more serious disputes.
The U.S. federal court system hears cases involving litigants from two or more states, violations of federal laws, treaties, and the Constitution, admiralty, bankruptcy, and related issues. In practice, about 80% of the cases are civil and 20% criminal. The civil cases often involve civil rights, patents, and Social Security while the criminal cases involve tax fraud, robbery, counterfeiting, and drug crimes. The trial courts are U.S. district courts, followed by United States courts of appeals and then the Supreme Court of the United States. The judicial system, whether state or federal, begins with a court of first instance, whose work may be reviewed by an appellate court, and then ends at the court of last resort, which may review the work of the lower courts.
Institutions which may be considered courts of the United States are listed below.
United States federal courts
Geographic based jurisdiction
- Trial Courts: United States district courts (see federal court sections by state below for specific district courts)
- List of United States district and territorial courts (94 courts, also listed by state below)
- Appellate Courts: United States courts of appeals
- United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- Court of last resort:
- Supreme Court of the United States
Specific subject-matter jurisdiction
- United States federal courts with Original Jurisdiction over specific subject matter:
- United States Tax Court
- Patent Trial and Appeal Board
- International Trade Commission
- United States Court of International Trade
- United States Court of Federal Claims
- United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
- United States bankruptcy courts
- Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
- United States Merit Systems Protection Board
- United States Alien Terrorist Removal Court
- Courts with Appellate Jurisdiction over specific subject matter:
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
- United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals
- Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals
- Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals
- Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals
- United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
- United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review
- United States Court of Military Commission Review
- Civilian Board of Contract Appeals
- Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals
- Postal Service Board of Contract Appeals
- Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition
- Board of Immigration Appeals
- Board of Veterans' Appeals
Former United States Courts
- Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (before 2012)
- Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture (1780â€"1789)
- Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals (1971â€"1992)
- United States circuit courts (1789â€"1911)
- United States Commerce Court (1910â€"1913)
- United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals (1909â€"1982)
- United States Court of Private Land Claims (1891â€"1904)
- United States Court for Berlin (1955â€"1990)
- United States District Court for the Canal Zone ( -1982)
- United States Court for China (1906â€"1943)
Courts by state of the United States
- State supreme courts
- State court (United States)
Alabama
- State courts of Alabama
- Alabama Supreme Court
- Alabama Court of Civil Appeals
- Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
- Alabama Circuit Courts (41 circuits)
- Alabama District Courts (67 districts)
- Alabama Municipal Courts (273 courts)
- Alabama Probate Courts (68 courts)
- Alabama Circuit Courts (41 circuits)
- Alabama Court of the Judiciary
Federal courts located in Alabama
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
(All United States District Courts in Alabama may be appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia)
Former federal courts of Alabama
- United States District Court for the District of Alabama (extinct, subdivided in 1824)
Alaska
- State courts of Alaska
- Alaska Supreme Court
- Alaska Court of Appeals
- Alaska Superior Court (4 districts containing 40 judgeships)
- Alaska District Court (21 judgeships)
- Alaska Superior Court (4 districts containing 40 judgeships)
- Alaska Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Alaska
- United States District Court for the District of Alaska
Arizona
- State courts of Arizona
- Arizona Supreme Court
- Arizona Court of Appeals (2 divisions)
- Arizona Superior Courts, state trial courts and courts of general jurisdiction (15 courts, one for each county)
- Justices of the Peace (county courts) and Arizona Municipal Courts, city trial courts and courts of limited jurisdiction
- Arizona Superior Courts, state trial courts and courts of general jurisdiction (15 courts, one for each county)
- Arizona Court of Appeals (2 divisions)
Federal courts located in Arizona
- United States District Court for the District of Arizona
Arkansas
- State courts of Arkansas
- Arkansas Supreme Court
- Arkansas Court of Appeals
- Arkansas Circuit Courts (23 judicial circuits)
- Arkansas District Courts (formerly Arkansas Municipal Courts)
- Arkansas City Courts
- Arkansas Circuit Courts (23 judicial circuits)
- Arkansas Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Arkansas
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
- United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
Former federal courts of Arkansas
- United States District Court for the District of Arkansas (extinct, subdivided)
California
- State courts of California
- Supreme Court of California
- California Courts of Appeal (6 appellate districts)
- Superior Courts of California (58 courts, one for each county)
- California Courts of Appeal (6 appellate districts)
Federal courts located in California
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (headquartered in San Francisco, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, the Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, and Washington)
- United States District Court for the Central District of California
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
- United States District Court for the Northern District of California
- United States District Court for the Southern District of California
Former federal courts of California
- United States District Court for the District of California (extinct, subdivided)
Colorado
- State courts of Colorado
- Colorado Supreme Court
- Colorado Court of Appeals
- Colorado District Courts (22 judicial districts)
- Colorado County Courts
- Colorado District Courts (22 judicial districts)
- Colorado Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Colorado
- United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (headquartered in Denver, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming)
- United States District Court for the District of Colorado
Connecticut
- State courts of Connecticut
- Connecticut Supreme Court
- Connecticut Appellate Court
- Connecticut Superior Court (13 districts)
- Connecticut Probate Courts (54 districts)
- Connecticut Appellate Court
Federal court located in Connecticut:
- United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
Delaware
- State courts of Delaware
- Delaware Supreme Court
- Delaware Court of Chancery
- Delaware Superior Court (3 courts, one for each county)
- Delaware Family Court
- Delaware Court of Common Pleas
- Delaware Justice of the Peace Court
- Delaware Alderman's Court
Federal courts located in Delaware
- United States District Court for the District of Delaware
Florida
- State courts of Florida
- Florida Supreme Court
- Florida District Courts of Appeal (5 districts)
- Florida Circuit Courts (20 judicial circuits)
- Florida County Courts (67 courts, one for each county)
- Florida Circuit Courts (20 judicial circuits)
- Florida District Courts of Appeal (5 districts)
Federal courts located in Florida
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Former federal courts of Florida
- United States District Court for the District of Florida (extinct, subdivided)
Georgia
- State courts of Georgia
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Georgia Court of Appeals
- Georgia Superior Courts (49 judicial circuits)
- Georgia State Courts
- Georgia Magistrate Courts
- Georgia Juvenile Courts
- Georgia Probate Courts
- Georgia Municipal Courts
- Georgia State Courts
- Georgia Superior Courts (49 judicial circuits)
- Georgia Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Georgia
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (headquartered in Atlanta, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia)
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
Former federal courts of Georgia
- United States District Court for the District of Georgia (extinct, subdivided)
Hawaii
- State courts of Hawaii
- Hawaiʻi State Supreme Court
- Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals
- Hawaii State Circuit Courts (4 circuits)
- Hawaii State Family Courts (4 circuits)
- Hawaii State District Courts (including Small Claims Court)
- Hawaiʻi State Land Court
- Hawaii Tax Appeal Court
- Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Hawaii
- United States District Court for the District of Hawaii
Idaho
- State courts of Idaho
- Idaho Supreme Court
- Idaho Court of Appeals
- Idaho District Courts (7 judicial districts)
- Idaho Drug Court
- Idaho Mental Health Court
- Idaho District Courts (7 judicial districts)
- Idaho Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Idaho
- United States District Court for the District of Idaho
Illinois
- State courts of Illinois
- Supreme Court of Illinois
- Illinois Appellate Court (5 districts)
- Illinois Circuit Courts (24 judicial circuits)
- Illinois Appellate Court (5 districts)
Federal courts located in Illinois
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (headquartered in Chicago, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin)
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Former federal courts of Illinois
- United States District Court for the District of Illinois (extinct, subdivided in 1855)
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois (extinct, reorganized in 1978)
Indiana
- State courts of Indiana
- Supreme Court of Indiana
- Indiana Court of Appeals (5 districts; previously Indiana Appellate Court)
- Indiana Tax Court
- Indiana Circuit Courts (91 circuits)
- Indiana Superior Courts (177 divisions)
- Indiana city and town courts
- Indiana Court of Appeals (5 districts; previously Indiana Appellate Court)
Federal courts located in Indiana
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Former federal courts of Indiana
- United States District Court for the District of Indiana (extinct, subdivided)
Iowa
- State courts of Iowa
- Iowa Supreme Court
- Iowa Court of Appeals
- Iowa District Courts (8 districts)
- Iowa Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Iowa
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
Former federal courts of Iowa
- United States District Court for the District of Iowa (extinct, subdivided)
Kansas
- State courts of Kansas
- Kansas Supreme Court
- Kansas Court of Appeals
- Kansas District Courts (31 districts)
- Kansas Municipal Courts
- Kansas District Courts (31 districts)
- Kansas Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Kansas
- United States District Court for the District of Kansas
Kentucky
- Kentucky Court of Justice
Under an amendment to the Kentucky Constitution passed by the state's voters in 1975, judicial power in Kentucky is "vested exclusively in one Court of Justice", divided into the following:
- Kentucky Supreme Court
- Kentucky Court of Appeals
- Kentucky Circuit Courts (57 circuits)
- Kentucky District Courts (60 judicial districts)
- Kentucky Circuit Courts (57 circuits)
- Kentucky Court of Appeals
- Federal courts located in this state
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
- United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
- Former federal courts of Kentucky
- United States District Court for the District of Kentucky (extinct, subdivided)
Louisiana
- State courts of Louisiana
- Louisiana Supreme Court
- Louisiana Circuit Courts of Appeal (5 circuits)
- Louisiana District Courts (42 districts)
- Louisiana Circuit Courts of Appeal (5 circuits)
Federal courts located in Louisiana
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana; having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas)
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
Former federal courts of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the District of Orleans (territorial court of the Territory of Orleans, extinct, abolished when Louisiana became a state on April 30, 1812)
- United States District Court for the District of Louisiana (extinct, subdivided)
Maine
- State courts of Maine
- Maine Supreme Judicial Court
- Maine Superior Court
- Maine District Courts (13 districts)
- Maine Problem-Solving Courts
- Maine Superior Court
Federal courts located in Maine
- United States District Court for the District of Maine
Maryland
- State courts of Maryland
- Maryland Court of Appeals
- Maryland Court of Special Appeals
- Maryland Circuit Courts (8 judicial circuits)
- Maryland District Courts
- Maryland Circuit Courts (8 judicial circuits)
- Maryland Court of Special Appeals
Federal courts located in Maryland
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
Former federal courts of Maryland
- United States District Court for the District of Potomac (1801â€"1802; also contained the District of Columbia and pieces of Virginia; extinct, reorganized)
Massachusetts
- State courts of Massachusetts
- Judicial courts
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- Massachusetts Appeals Court
- Massachusetts Trial Court
- Massachusetts Superior Court (14 divisions)
- Massachusetts District Court
- Massachusetts Boston Municipal Court
- Massachusetts Land Court
- Massachusetts Housing Court
- Massachusetts Juvenile Court
- Massachusetts Probate and Family Court
- Massachusetts Trial Court
- Massachusetts Appeals Court
- Administrative courts
- Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board
- Massachusetts Division of Labor Relations
Federal courts located in Massachusetts
- United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (headquartered in Boston, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico)
- United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Michigan
- State courts of Michigan
- Michigan Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is Michigan's court of last resort, consisting of seven justices. Each year, the Supreme Court receives over 2,000 applications for leave to appeal from litigants primarily seeking review of decisions by the Michigan Court of Appeals.
The Supreme Court's authority to hear cases is discretionary. The Court grants leave to those cases of greatest complexity and public import, where additional briefing and oral argument are essential to reaching a just outcome.
Each justice is responsible for reviewing each case to determine whether leave should be granted. Cases that are accepted for oral argument may be decided by an order, with or without an opinion. These orders may affirm or reverse the Michigan Court of Appeals, may remand a case to the trial court, or may adopt a correct Court of Appeals opinion.
Cases come before the Court during a term that starts August 1 and runs through July 31 of the following year. The Court hears oral arguments in Lansing beginning in October of each term. Decisions are released throughout the term, following oral arguments.
In addition to its judicial duties, the Supreme Court is responsible for the general administrative supervision of all courts in the state.
The Supreme Court also establishes rules for practice and procedure in all courts.
- Michigan Court of Appeals
The Michigan Court of Appeals is one of the highest volume intermediate appellate courts in the country. It was created by the 1963 Michigan Constitution and heard its first cases in January 1965. Generally, decisions from final orders of a circuit court, as well as some probate court and agency orders, may be appealed to the court as a matter of right. Other lower court or tribunal decisions may be appealed only by application for leave to appeal, i.e., with permission of the court. The court also has jurisdiction to hear some original actions, such as complaints for mandamus or superintending control against government officers or actions alleging that state law has imposed an unfunded or inadequately funded mandate on local units of government.
The judges of the Court of Appeals sit state-wide, although they are elected or appointed from one of four districts. The districts and their office locations are as follows: District I is based in Detroit, District II is based in Troy, District III is based in Grand Rapids, and District IV is based in Lansing. Hearings are held year-round before three-judge panels in Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. There is no courtroom at the Troy location. Hearings are also scheduled in Marquette and in a northern Lower Peninsula location in the spring and fall of each year for the convenience of the parties and their attorneys in those areas. Judges are randomly assigned to panels to sit in all courtroom locations so that a variety of judicial viewpoints are considered. At least two of the three judges on a panel must agree on the ruling in a case for it to be binding. Like most appellate courts, the Court of Appeals observes the principle of stare decisis so that the holding in an earlier decision serves as binding precedent in a later appeal. When a panel expresses its disagreement with a prior opinion, the court rules provide a mechanism by which a special seven-judge “conflict panel†may be convened to resolve the conflict between the earlier opinion and the later decision. MCR 7.215(J). Decisions of the court may generally be appealed by leave application to the Michigan Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeals started with only nine judges originally. The number of judgeships steadily increased through legislation over the years to accommodate the court's growing caseloadâ€"to 12 in 1969, to 18 in 1974, to 24 in 1988, and to 28 in 1993. Due to decreased filings in recent years, the size of the court was reduced in 2012 to 24 judges, which is to be achieved through attrition over time.
- Michigan Circuit Courts
In Michigan, the Circuit Court is the trial court with the broadest powers in Michigan. In general, the Circuit Court handles all civil cases with claims of more than $25,000 and all felony criminal cases (cases where the accused, if found guilty, could be sent to prison). The family division of Circuit Court handles all cases regarding divorce, paternity, adoptions, personal protection actions, emancipation of minors, treatment and testing of infectious disease, safe delivery of newborns, name changes, juvenile offenses and delinquency, juvenile guardianship, and child abuse and neglect. In addition, the Circuit Court hears cases appealed from the other trial courts or from administrative agencies. The friend of the court office is part of the family division of the Circuit Court and handles domestic relations cases where minor children are involved.
There are 57 Circuit Courts in Michigan. Circuit Court judges are elected for six-year terms.
- Michigan District Courts
Michigan District Courts are often called the people's court. More people have contact with the District Courts than any other court. The District Courts handles most traffic violations, all civil cases with claims up to $25,000, landlord-tenant matters, most traffic tickets, and all misdemeanor criminal cases (generally, cases where the accused, if found guilty, cannot be sentenced to more than one year in jail). In addition, small claims cases are heard by a division of the District Courts. In Michigan, a few municipalities have chosen to retain a municipal court rather than create a District Courts. The municipal courts have limited powers and are located in Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, and Grosse Point Shores/Grosse Pointe Woods.
There are approximately 100 district courts in Michigan. District court judges are elected for six-year terms.
- Michigan Probate Courts
The Probate Court handles wills, administers estates and trusts, appoints guardians and conservators, and orders treatment for mentally ill and developmentally disabled persons.
There are 78 Probate Courts in Michigan; probate judges are elected for six-year terms.
- Michigan Court of Claims
Michigan also has a Court of Claims for filing cases against the State of Michigan in which a claim for money damages is made. As of November 12, 2013, the Court of Claims is part of the Michigan Court of Appeals. The Court of Claims is a specialized court that handles only claims over $1,000 filed against the State of Michigan or one of its departments.
Federal courts located in Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Former federal courts of Michigan
- United States District Court for the District of Michigan (extinct, subdivided on February 24, 1863)
Minnesota
- State courts of Minnesota
- Minnesota Supreme Court
- Minnesota Court of Appeals
- Minnesota District Courts (10 districts)
- Minnesota Tax Court
- Minnesota Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals
- Minnesota Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Minnesota
- United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
Mississippi
- State courts of Mississippi
- Supreme Court of Mississippi
- Mississippi Court of Appeals
- Mississippi Chancery Courts
- Mississippi Circuit Courts (22 districts)
- Mississippi County Courts
- Mississippi Justice Courts
- Mississippi Municipal Courts
- Mississippi Drug Courts
- Mississippi Youth Courts
- Mississippi County Courts
- Mississippi Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Mississippi
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
Former federal courts of Mississippi
- United States District Court for the District of Mississippi (extinct, subdivided on June 18, 1838)
Missouri
- State courts of Missouri
- Supreme Court of Missouri
- Missouri Court of Appeals (3 districts)
- Missouri Circuit Courts (45 circuits)
- Missouri Municipal Courts
- Missouri Circuit Courts (45 circuits)
- Missouri Court of Appeals (3 districts)
Federal courts located in Missouri
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (headquartered in St. Louis, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota)
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
- United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Former federal courts of Missouri
- United States District Court for the District of Missouri (extinct, subdivided)
Montana
- State courts of Montana
- Montana Supreme Court
- Montana District Courts (56 courts, 22 judicial districts)
- Montana Justice Courts
- Montana City Courts
- Montana Municipal Courts
- Montana Youth Courts, Generally assigned to District Court Judges, cases appealed to the Montana Supreme Court.
- Montana Worker's Compensation Court
- Montana Water Court
- Montana District Courts (56 courts, 22 judicial districts)
Federal courts located in Montana
- United States District Court for the District of Montana
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana
Nebraska
- State courts of Nebraska
- Nebraska Supreme Court
- Nebraska Court of Appeals
- Nebraska District Courts (12 districts)
- Nebraska County Courts (93 courts, one for each county)
- Nebraska Juvenile Courts
- Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court
- Nebraska Problem-Solving Courts and Drug Courts
- Nebraska Small Claims Courts
- Nebraska District Courts (12 districts)
- Nebraska Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Nebraska
- United States District Court for the District of Nebraska
Nevada
- State courts of Nevada
- Supreme Court of Nevada
- District Courts of Nevada (9 districts)
- Municipal Courts of Nevada
- Justice Courts of Nevada
- District Courts of Nevada (9 districts)
Federal courts located in Nevada
- United States District Court for the District of Nevada
New Hampshire
- State courts of New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Supreme Court
- New Hampshire Superior Court
- New Hampshire District Court
- New Hampshire Family Division
- New Hampshire Probate Court
Federal courts located in New Hampshire
- United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire
New Jersey
- State courts of New Jersey
- New Jersey Supreme Court (previously the New Jersey Court of Errors and Appeals)
- New Jersey Superior Court (including the Appellate Division; 15 vicinages)
- New Jersey Tax Court
- New Jersey Municipal Courts (including Joint Municipal Courts and the Court of the Palisades Interstate Park)
Federal courts located in New Jersey
- United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Former federal courts of New Jersey
- United States District Court for the District of East Jersey (1801â€"1802; extinct, merged)
- United States District Court for the District of West Jersey (1801â€"1802; extinct, merged)
New Mexico
- State courts of New Mexico
- New Mexico Supreme Court
- New Mexico Court of Appeals
- New Mexico District Court (13 judicial districts)
- New Mexico Magistrate Court
- Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
- New Mexico Municipal Court
- New Mexico Probate Court
- New Mexico District Court (13 judicial districts)
- New Mexico Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in New Mexico
- United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
New York
- State courts of New York
- New York Court of Appeals
- New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division (4 departments)
- New York Supreme Court (13 judicial districts)
- New York County Court (57 courts, one for each county outside New York City)
- New York Surrogate's Court
- New York Family Court
- New York Court of Claims
- New York city courts
- New York City Criminal Court
- New York City Civil Court
- New York town and village courts
- New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division (4 departments)
Federal courts located in New York
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (headquartered in Manhattan, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Connecticut, New York, and Vermont)
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- United States District Court for the Northern District of New York
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
- United States District Court for the Western District of New York
- United States Court of International Trade (headquartered in New York City)
Former federal courts of New York
- United States District Court for the District of New York (extinct, subdivided)
North Carolina
- State courts of North Carolina
- North Carolina Supreme Court
- North Carolina Court of Appeals
- North Carolina Superior Court (46 districts)
- North Carolina District Courts (45 districts)
- North Carolina Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in North Carolina
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
- United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
- United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Former federal courts of North Carolina
- United States District Court for the District of North Carolina (extinct, subdivided)
- United States District Court for the District of Edenton (1794â€"1797; extinct, reorganized)
- United States District Court for the District of New Bern (1794â€"1797; extinct, reorganized)
- United States District Court for the District of Wilmington (1794â€"1797; extinct, reorganized)
- United States District Court for the District of Albemarle (1801â€"1872; extinct, reorganized)
- United States District Court for the District of Cape Fear (1801â€"1872; extinct, reorganized)
- United States District Court for the District of Pamptico (1801â€"1872; extinct, reorganized)
North Dakota
- State courts of North Dakota
- North Dakota Supreme Court
- North Dakota District Courts (7 judicial districts)
- North Dakota Municipal Courts
- North Dakota District Courts (7 judicial districts)
Federal courts located in North Dakota
- United States District Court for the District of North Dakota
Ohio
- State courts of Ohio
- Supreme Court of Ohio
- Ohio District Courts of Appeal (12 districts)
- Ohio Court of Claims
- Ohio Courts of Common Pleas
- Ohio Municipal Courts
- Ohio County Courts
- Ohio Mayor's Courts
- Ohio District Courts of Appeal (12 districts)
Federal courts located in this state
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (headquartered in Cincinnati, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee)
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
Former federal courts of Ohio
- United States District Court for the District of Ohio (extinct, subdivided)
Oklahoma
- State courts of Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Supreme Court (civil)
- Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals (criminal)
- Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals
- Oklahoma District Courts (26 judicial districts with 77 district courts)
- Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Court
- Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals
Federal courts located in Oklahoma
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
- United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
Oregon
- State courts of Oregon
- Oregon Supreme Court
- Oregon Court of Appeals
- Oregon Circuit Courts (36 courts, one for each county, administratively divided between 27 judicial districts)
- Oregon Justice Courts
- Oregon Municipal Courts
- Oregon County Courts
- Oregon Tax Court
- Oregon Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Oregon
- United States District Court for the District of Oregon
Pennsylvania
- State courts of Pennsylvania
- Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
- Superior Court of Pennsylvania (3 districts)
- Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas (60 judicial districts)
- Magisterial District Courts
- Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas (60 judicial districts)
Federal courts located in Pennsylvania
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (headquartered in Philadelphia, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the United States Virgin Islands)
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Former federal courts of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania (extinct, subdivided in 1815)
Rhode Island
- State courts of Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Supreme Court
- Rhode Island Superior Courts
- Rhode Island District Courts
- Rhode Island Family Courts
- Rhode Island Workers' Compensation Courts
- Rhode Island Traffic Tribunals
- Rhode Island Superior Courts
Federal courts located in Rhode Island
- United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
South Carolina
- State courts of South Carolina
- South Carolina Supreme Court
- South Carolina Court of Appeals
- South Carolina Circuit Courts (16 circuits)
- South Carolina Family Courts
- South Carolina Probate Courts
- South Carolina Magistrate Courts
- South Carolina Municipal Courts
- South Carolina Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in South Carolina
- United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
South Dakota
- State courts of South Dakota
- South Dakota Supreme Court
- South Dakota Circuit Courts (7 circuits)
- South Dakota Magistrate Courts
Federal courts located in South Dakota
- United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
Tennessee
- State courts of Tennessee
- Tennessee Supreme Court
- Tennessee Court of Appeals (3 grand divisions)
- Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals (3 grand divisions)
- Tennessee Circuit Courts (31 judicial districts)
- Tennessee Chancery and Probate Courts (31 judicial districts)
- Tennessee Criminal Courts (31 judicial districts)
- Tennessee Municipal and City Courts
- Tennessee Juvenile and Family Courts
- Tennessee General Session Courts
Federal courts located in Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
Former federal courts of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the District of Tennessee (extinct, subdivided)
Texas
- State courts of Texas
- Texas Supreme Court (Civil)
- Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (Criminal)
- Texas Courts of Appeals (14 districts)
- Texas District Courts (420 districts)
- Texas County Courts
- Texas Justice Courts
- Texas Municipal Courts
- Texas Courts of Appeals (14 districts)
Federal courts located in Texas
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Former federal courts of Texas
- United States District Court for the District of Texas (extinct, subdivided)
Utah
- State courts of Utah
- Utah Supreme Court
- Utah Court of Appeals
- Utah District Courts (8 districts)
- Utah Juvenile Courts
- Utah Justice Courts
- Utah Court of Appeals
Federal courts located in Utah
- United States District Court for the District of Utah
Vermont
- State courts of Vermont
- Vermont Supreme Court
- Vermont Superior Court
- Civil Division
- Criminal Division
- Environmental Division
- Family Division
- Probate Division
- Vermont Judicial Bureau
Federal courts located in Vermont
- United States District Court for the District of Vermont
Virginia
- State courts of Virginia
- Supreme Court of Virginia
- Court of Appeals of Virginia
- Virginia Circuit Court (120 courts divided among 31 judicial circuits)
- Virginia General District Court (courts in 32 districts)
- Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (courts in 32 districts)
- Virginia Circuit Court (120 courts divided among 31 judicial circuits)
- Court of Appeals of Virginia
Federal courts located in Virginia
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (headquartered in Richmond, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia)
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
Former federal courts of Virginia
- United States District Court for the District of Virginia (extinct, subdivided)
- United States District Court for the District of Potomac (1801-1802; also contained the District of Columbia and pieces of Maryland; extinct, reorganized)
Washington
State courts of Washington
- Washington Supreme Court
- Washington Court of Appeals (3 divisions)
- Washington Superior Courts (39 courts of general jurisdiction, one for each county)
- Washington District Courts (Courts of limited jurisdiction)
- Washington Municipal Courts (Courts of limited jurisdiction)
- Washington Superior Courts (39 courts of general jurisdiction, one for each county)
- Washington Court of Appeals (3 divisions)
Federal courts located in Washington
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
Former federal courts of Washington
- United States District Court for the District of Washington (extinct, subdivided)
West Virginia
- State courts of West Virginia
- Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
- West Virginia Circuit Courts (31 judicial circuits)
- West Virginia Family Courts
- West Virginia Magistrate Courts
- West Virginia Municipal Courts
- West Virginia Circuit Courts (31 judicial circuits)
Federal courts located in West Virginia
- United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
- United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Former federal courts of West Virginia
- United States District Court for the District of West Virginia (extinct, subdivided)
Wisconsin
- State courts of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Supreme Court
- Wisconsin Court of Appeals (4 districts)
- Wisconsin Circuit Court (10 judicial administrative districts)
- Wisconsin Municipal Courts
- Wisconsin Circuit Court (10 judicial administrative districts)
- Wisconsin Court of Appeals (4 districts)
Federal courts located in Wisconsin
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
Former federal courts of Wisconsin
- United States District Court for the District of Wisconsin (extinct, subdivided)
Wyoming
- State courts of Wyoming
- Wyoming Supreme Court
- Wyoming District Courts (9 districts)
- Wyoming Circuit Courts
- Wyoming District Courts (9 districts)
Federal courts located in Wyoming
- United States District Court for the District of Wyoming
Courts in the District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals
- Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Federal courts located in the District of Columbia
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States Tax Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
- United States Court of Federal Claims
- United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
- United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review
- United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Former federal courts in the District of Columbia
- United States District Court for the District of Potomac (1801â€"1802; also contained pieces of Maryland and Virginia; extinct, reorganized)
Courts of the Territories of the United States
American Samoa
- High Court of American Samoa
Guam
- Supreme Court of Guam
- Superior Court of Guam
United States territorial court
- District Court of Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
- Northern Mariana Islands Supreme Court
- Northern Mariana Islands Superior Court
United States territorial court
- United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands
Panama Canal Zone
- United States District Court for the Canal Zone
Puerto Rico
- Supreme Court of Puerto Rico (Tribunal Supremo de Puerto Rico)
- Circuit Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico (Tribunal de Apelaciones)
- * Courts of First Instance of Puerto Rico (Tribunal de Primera Instancia; 13 divisions)
Federal courts located in Puerto Rico:
- United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico
United States Virgin Islands
- United States Virgin Islands Supreme Court
- United States Virgin Islands Superior Court (2 divisions)
United States territorial court
- District Court of the Virgin Islands
Extraterritorial courts of the United States
- United States Court for China (1906 to 1943), appointed judge held court in cities in China including Shanghai, Hankow, Tientsin, and Canton.
- United States Court for Berlin (1979), existed on paper since 1955, but constituted in fact only once, to hear a single case.
U.S. judicial system in popular culture
Due to its involvement in the resolution of crimes and conflicts, which are an intricate part of drama, the U.S. judicial system is often portrayed in American literature and films.
Several Hollywood films such as A Few Good Men (1992) and Runaway Jury (2003) are set around its courts.
References
External links
- National Center for State Courts â€" directory of state court websites.