Don's Tools · World · US Court System

US court system finder

Select any state to see its federal district courts, circuit court, and state court structure — and understand which court handles what.

How the US court system works

1
US Supreme Court
9 justices · final word on federal and constitutional questions · ~80 cases per year
2
US Courts of Appeals (Circuit Courts)
13 circuits · review district court decisions · no new evidence, only legal errors
3
US District Courts (Trial Courts)
94 districts · federal crimes, civil rights, bankruptcy, patents, federal agencies
S
State Supreme Courts
One per state (some named differently) · final word on state law · can be reviewed by US Supreme Court on federal questions
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State Courts of Appeals
Intermediate appellate courts · most states have these · review trial court decisions
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State Trial Courts
Superior, district, or circuit courts (name varies by state) · most criminal and civil cases
Federal vs state: federal courts handle federal law, the US Constitution, disputes between states, and cases involving the federal government. State courts handle most everyday legal matters — contracts, divorces, property, most crimes. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between federal and state courts?

Federal courts only handle cases involving federal law, the US Constitution, disputes between citizens of different states above $75,000, or cases where the US government is a party. State courts handle everything else — which is the vast majority of all legal cases including most crimes, family law, contracts, property and traffic offences.

How many federal circuits are there?

There are 13 circuits: 11 numbered circuits covering geographic regions, the DC Circuit (covering Washington D.C. and federal agencies), and the Federal Circuit (covering patents, international trade, and federal claims regardless of location).

Why do some states have two federal districts?

Heavily populated states were split into multiple federal judicial districts to manage caseload. California has four districts (Northern, Eastern, Central, Southern), Texas and New York also have four each.

Can a state court case go to the US Supreme Court?

Only if it raises a federal constitutional question. The US Supreme Court has no authority to review purely state-law decisions — only the state supreme court has the final word on its own state's law.