The federal court system plays a critical role in protecting the rights and liberties guarateed to the American people. Federal courts can strike down any legislation, at any level of government, if the courts determine that the legislation violates the nation's fundamental, democratic principles outlined in the Constitution.

To safeguard the authority and independence of the judiciary against the interests of the executive or legislative branches, the Constitution protects judges from political reprisal. The judicial branch consists of a system of courts spread throughout the country, with jurisdiction in both civil actions and to criminal cases arising under federal law.

To learn more about the various federal courts, see the links below.

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Courts of Appeal

U.S. District Courts

Special Courts

To learn more about the other branches of the federal government, see the links below.

The Executive Branch

The Legislative Branch

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