Final answer:
The US federal court system is comprised of a three-tier structure: the district courts (trial courts), the circuit courts of appeals (intermediate appellate courts), and the Supreme Court (highest appellate court). The district courts handle the initial trials, the circuit courts review the district courts' decisions, and the Supreme Court can further review cases, setting precedents that guide the federal judiciary.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States federal court system is a three-tiered structure established by Congress to adjudicate legal matters fairly and systematically. At the base are the US District Courts, serving as the trial courts where litigation begins. Above them are the US Courts of Appeals, also known as the Circuit Courts, which review decisions made by the district courts. At the summit of the judicial hierarchy is the US Supreme Court, the apex court with ultimate appellate authority.
Each state, including Washington, D.C., has its own district court(s), with 94 in total nationwide. The appellate system consists of thirteen circuit courts, which focus on reviewing cases without conducting trials. District court rulings can be appealed in these courts, and likewise, their decisions can be appealed to the Supreme Court, although this happens in a limited number of cases each year.
The precedent set by the higher courts, especially the Supreme Court, heavily influences the federal court system, creating a consistent and evolving body of law. Although there are also specialized courts such as the Court of International Trade and the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, most federal cases will traverse the district and circuit courts before potentially reaching the Supreme Court.