Final answer:
Special courts in the United States, like bankruptcy and immigration courts, are created by Congress to handle specific areas of federal law. They operate within the federal court system, which includes District Courts and Circuit Courts of Appeals, ensuring specialized and efficient legal proceedings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Special courts in the United States are created by Congress. The special courts, including bankruptcy courts and immigration/naturalization courts, have been established to handle cases involving specific areas of federal law. Congress was given the authority to create these courts under Section 8 Clause 9, which is part of the broader power to establish a federal court system. This system has evolved over time and includes twelve Circuit Courts of Appeals and 94 federal District Courts. The existence of these special courts is to ensure efficient, specialized handling of cases that pertain to particular legal areas such as international trade, bankruptcy, and federal claims.
The broader federal court system operates independently, with judges appointed for life to protect their political independence, ensuring they can make decisions without external pressure. Michigan, for example, has two District Courts, one for the eastern district, which showcases the nationwide distribution of these federal courts.