United States district court

Establishment and Structure of District Courts - District courts were established by Congress through the Judiciary Act of 1789. - The U.S. Constitution does not require the existence of district courts. - State courts retain concurrent jurisdiction in most federal matters. - Each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have at least one judicial district. - Most states with three districts add a Middle District, except for Illinois and Oklahoma. - New York, Texas, and California have four districts, each with unique designations. - The number of judges in each district court is set by Congress. - District judges, except for territorial courts, are appointed for life. - Involuntary removal of a judge can only occur through impeachment. - Impeachment requires a conviction by a two-thirds vote in the Senate. - Judges can retire at the age of 65 or if they become disabled. - The district court appoints a clerk who oversees filings, maintains records, processes fees, and manages the court's non-judicial work. - Minimum 10 years of administrative experience required to serve as a clerk. - District courts have original jurisdiction over various types of cases. - Attorneys must be admitted to the bar of the district court. - Final rulings by district courts can be appealed to the court of appeals. Other Federal Trial Courts - The United States Court of International Trade handles international trade and customs issues. - The United States Court of Federal Claims has exclusive jurisdiction over most claims against the U.S. - The United States Tax Court deals with contested pre-assessment determinations of taxes. Judges and Tenure - District court judges are officially titled United States District Judges. - Other federal judges can also sit in a district court upon assignment. - Magistrate judges are appointed by each district court and serve for eight-year terms. - Only twelve judges have been impeached in U.S. history, with seven being removed. Appeals and Jurisdiction - Some specialized matters must be appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. - Direct appeal to the Supreme Court is possible in very few cases. - Federal courts have limited jurisdiction and Congress must grant subject matter jurisdiction for district courts to hear cases. - Jurisdiction is concurrent with state courts for most cases. - Removal to federal court is possible in certain cases. District Court System and Caseload - District courts are integrated within the federal court system. - District courts have a relationship with other federal courts. - Appeals process from district courts to circuit courts. - District court caseload and its impact on the judicial system. - Importance of district courts in the administration of justice.