Far too many people lack knowledge of their federal court system, believing that it is a forum only to be used and understood by attorneys. However, the federal courts are public institutions, used by millions of citizens each year. As one of the three branches of government, the Constitution assigns the Judiciary status equal to that of the legislative and executive branches.
This document, Understanding the Federal Courts, provides an overview of the organization, operation, and administration of the entire federal court system. It lists the location and number of judges who sit on each court. It also contains charts showing the structure of the federal court system and the path a case takes as it works its way through this system. Also included is a helpful glossary of terms, many of which are used in this document.
The business of your federal courts is to dispense justice in as fair and efficient a manner as possible. As citizens of the United States and consumers of justice, it is essential that we all possess an unerstanding of the third branch of government.
- L. Ralph Mecham Director, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts