Final answer:
Estimated 2,000 major trial courts in the 50 states and District of Columbia are 94 district courts, 13 circuit courts, and one Supreme Court throughout the country.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are ninety-four U.S. district courts across the fifty states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. V1rgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Although the Supreme Court often garners significant attention, it hears less than a hundred cases annually, in contrast to the state courts which handle the majority of cases. Most states have trial courts dealing with a wide array of issues, from traffic fines to serious criminal cases, and appellate courts, including supreme courts, which handle cases appealed from lower courts. The federal judicial system also includes thirteen U.S. courts of appeals or circuit courts, overseen by panels of three judges that review district court rulings. Additionally, judges presiding over federal courts are appointed for life terms, ensuring judicial independence and consistency.