List of courts of the United States

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

The courts of the United States are closely linked hierarchical systems of courts at the
federal and state levels. The federal courts form the judicial branch of the federal
government of the United States and operate under the authority of the United States
Constitution and federal law. The state and territorial courts of the individual U.S. states
and territories operate under the authority of the state and territorial constitutions and
state and territorial law.
Federal statutes that refer to the "courts of the United States" are referring only to the
courts of the federal government, and not the courts of the individual states and
counties. Because of the federalist underpinnings of the division between sovereign
federal and state governments, the various state court systems are free to operate in
ways that vary widely from those of the federal government, and from one another. In
practice, however, every state has adopted a division of its judiciary into at least two
levels, and almost every state has three levels, with trial courts hearing cases which may
be reviewed by appellate courts, and finally by a state supreme court. A few states have
two separate supreme courts, with one having authority over civil matters and the other
reviewing criminal cases. 47 states and the federal government allow at least one appeal
of right from a final judgment on the merits, meaning that the court receiving the appeal
must decide the appeal after it is briefed and argued properly. Three states do not
provide a right to a first appeal. Rather, they give litigants only a right to petition for the
right to have an appeal heard.
State courts often have diverse names and structures, as illustrated below. State courts
hear about 98% of litigation; most states have courts of special jurisdiction, which
typically handle minor disputes such as traffic citations, and courts of general
jurisdiction responsible for more serious disputes.[1]
The U.S. federal court system hears cases involving litigants from two or more states,
violations of federal laws, treaties, and the Constitution, admiralty, bankruptcy, and
related issues.[2] In practice, about 80% of the cases are civil and 20% criminal.[1] The
civil cases often involve civil rights, patents, and Social Security while the criminal
cases involve tax fraud, robbery, counterfeiting, and drug crimes.[1] The trial courts are
U.S. district courts, followed by United States courts of appeals and then the Supreme
Court of the United States. The judicial system, whether state or federal, begins with a
court of first instance, whose work may be reviewed by an appellate court, and then
ends at the court of last resort, which may review the work of the lower courts.[3]
Institutions which may be considered courts of the United States are listed below.

Contents
[hide]

1 United States federal courts

o 1.1 Geographic based jurisdiction
o 1.2 Specific subject-matter jurisdiction
o 1.3 Former United States Courts

2 Courts by state of the United States

o 2.1 Alabama
o 2.2 Alaska
o 2.3 Arizona
o 2.4 Arkansas
o 2.5 California
o 2.6 Colorado
o 2.7 Connecticut
o 2.8 Delaware
o 2.9 Florida
o 2.10 Georgia
o 2.11 Hawaii
o 2.12 Idaho
o 2.13 Illinois
o 2.14 Indiana
o 2.15 Iowa
o 2.16 Kansas
o 2.17 Kentucky
o 2.18 Louisiana
o 2.19 Maine

o 2.20 Maryland
o 2.21 Massachusetts
o 2.22 Michigan
o 2.23 Minnesota
o 2.24 Mississippi
o 2.25 Missouri
o 2.26 Montana
o 2.27 Nebraska
o 2.28 Nevada
o 2.29 New Hampshire
o 2.30 New Jersey
o 2.31 New Mexico
o 2.32 New York
o 2.33 North Carolina
o 2.34 North Dakota
o 2.35 Ohio
o 2.36 Oklahoma
o 2.37 Oregon
o 2.38 Pennsylvania
o 2.39 Rhode Island
o 2.40 South Carolina
o 2.41 South Dakota
o 2.42 Tennessee
o 2.43 Texas

o 2.44 Utah
o 2.45 Vermont
o 2.46 Virginia
o 2.47 Washington
o 2.48 West Virginia
o 2.49 Wisconsin
o 2.50 Wyoming

3 Courts in the District of Columbia

4 Courts of the Territories of the United States

o 4.1 American Samoa
o 4.2 Guam

4.2.1 United States territorial court

o 4.3 Northern Mariana Islands

4.3.1 United States territorial court

o 4.4 Panama Canal Zone

o 4.5 Puerto Rico
o 4.6 United States Virgin Islands

4.6.1 United States territorial court

5 Extraterritorial courts of the United States

6 U.S. judicial system in popular culture

7 External links

8 References

United States federal courts[edit]

Main article: United States federal courts

The geographical boundary of the 12 United States Courts of Appeals

Geographic based jurisdiction[edit]

Trial Courts: United States district courts[4] (see federal court sections by state
below for specific district courts)
o List of United States district and territorial courts (94 courts, also listed
by state below)

Appellate Courts: United States courts of appeals[5]

o United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit[6]
o United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit[7]
o United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit[8]
o United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit[9]
o United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit[10]
o United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit[11]
o United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit[12]
o United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit[13]

o United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit[14]

o United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit[15]
o United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit[16]
o United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit[17]

Court of last resort:

o Supreme Court of the United States[18]

Specific subject-matter jurisdiction[edit]

Headquarters of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims on Madison Place in Washington,

D.C.
See also: Article I and Article III tribunals

United States federal courts with Original Jurisdiction over specific subject
matter:
o United States Tax Court[19]
o Patent Trial and Appeal Board
o International Trade Commission
o United States Court of International Trade[20]
o United States Court of Federal Claims[21]

o United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court[22]

o United States bankruptcy courts[23]
o Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
o United States Merit Systems Protection Board
o United States Alien Terrorist Removal Court

Courts with Appellate Jurisdiction over specific subject matter:

o United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit[24]
o United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces[25]

United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals

Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals

Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals

Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals

o United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims[26]

o United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review
o United States Court of Military Commission Review
o Civilian Board of Contract Appeals
o Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals
o Postal Service Board of Contract Appeals
o Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition
o Board of Immigration Appeals
o Board of Veterans' Appeals

Former United States Courts[edit]

Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals (19711992)[27]

United States circuit courts (17891911)

United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals (19091982)

United States Commerce Court (19101913)[28]

United States Court of Private Land Claims (18911904)[29]

United States Court for Berlin (19551990)

Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (before 2012)

United States Court for China (19061943)

Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture (17801789)

Courts by state of the United States[edit]

State supreme courts

o State court (United States)

Alabama[edit]
Main article: Courts of Alabama
State courts of Alabama

Alabama Supreme Court[30]

o Alabama Court of Civil Appeals[31]
o Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals[32]

Alabama Circuit Courts (41 circuits)[33]

Alabama District Courts (67 districts)[33]

Alabama Municipal Courts (273 courts)[33]

Alabama Probate Courts (68 courts)[33]

o Alabama Court of the Judiciary[34]

Federal courts located in Alabama

United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama[35]

United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama[36]

United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama[37]

(All United States District Courts in Alabama may be appealed to the United States
Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia)
Former federal courts of Alabama

United States District Court for the District of Alabama (extinct, subdivided in
1824)

Alaska[edit]
Main article: Courts of Alaska
State courts of Alaska

Alaska Supreme Court[38]

o Alaska Court of Appeals[38]

Alaska Superior Court (4 districts containing 40 judgeships)[39]

Alaska District Court (21 judgeships)[39]

Federal courts located in Alaska

United States District Court for the District of Alaska[40]

Arizona[edit]
Main article: Courts of Arizona
State courts of Arizona

Arizona Supreme Court[41]

o Arizona Court of Appeals (2 divisions)[42]

Arizona Superior Courts, state trial courts and courts of general

jurisdiction (15 courts, one for each county)[42]

Justices of the Peace (county courts) [43] and Arizona

Municipal Courts, city trial courts and courts of limited
jurisdiction

Federal courts located in Arizona

United States District Court for the District of Arizona[44]

Arkansas[edit]
Main article: Courts of Arkansas
State courts of Arkansas

Arkansas Supreme Court[45]

o Arkansas Court of Appeals[46]

Arkansas Circuit Courts (23 judicial circuits)[47]

Arkansas District Courts (formerly Arkansas Municipal

Courts) [48]

Arkansas City Courts[49]

Federal courts located in Arkansas

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas[50]

United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas[51]

Former federal courts of Arkansas

United States District Court for the District of Arkansas (extinct, subdivided)

California[edit]
Main article: Courts of California

Headquarters of the Supreme Court of California, in San Francisco.

State courts of California

Supreme Court of California[52]

o California Courts of Appeal (6 appellate districts)[53]

Superior Courts of California (58 courts, one for each county)[54]

Federal courts located in California

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (headquartered in San
Francisco, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Alaska,
Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, the Northern
Mariana Islands, Oregon, and Washington)
o United States District Court for the Central District of California[55]
o United States District Court for the Eastern District of California[56]
o United States District Court for the Northern District of California[57]
o United States District Court for the Southern District of California[58]

Former federal courts of California

United States District Court for the District of California (extinct, subdivided)

Colorado[edit]
Main article: Courts of Colorado
State courts of Colorado

Colorado Supreme Court[59]

o Colorado Court of Appeals[60]

Colorado District Courts (22 judicial districts)[61]

Colorado County Courts[62]

Federal courts located in Colorado

United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (headquartered in Denver,
having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Colorado, Kansas,
New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming)

United States District Court for the District of Colorado[63]

Connecticut[edit]
Main article: Courts of Connecticut
State courts of Connecticut

Connecticut Supreme Court[64]

o Connecticut Appellate Court[65]

Connecticut Superior Court (13 districts)[66]

Connecticut Probate Courts (54 districts)[67]

Federal court located in Connecticut:

United States District Court for the District of Connecticut[68]

Delaware[edit]
Main article: Courts of Delaware
State courts of Delaware

Delaware Supreme Court[69]

o Delaware Court of Chancery[70]
o Delaware Superior Court (3 courts, one for each county)[71]

Delaware Family Court[72]

Delaware Court of Common Pleas[73]

Delaware Justice of the Peace Court

Delaware Alderman's Court

Federal courts located in Delaware

United States District Court for the District of Delaware[74]

Florida[edit]
Main article: Courts of Florida

Headquarters of the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee.

State courts of Florida

Florida Supreme Court[75]

o Florida District Courts of Appeal (5 districts)[76]

Florida Circuit Courts (20 judicial circuits)[77]

Florida County Courts (67 courts, one for each county)[78]

Federal courts located in Florida

United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida[79]

United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida[80]

United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida[81]

Former federal courts of Florida

United States District Court for the District of Florida (extinct, subdivided)

Georgia[edit]
Main article: Courts of Georgia (U.S. state)
State courts of Georgia

Supreme Court of Georgia[82]

o Georgia Court of Appeals[83]

Georgia Superior Courts (49 judicial circuits)[84]

Georgia State Courts[85]

Georgia Magistrate Courts[86]

Georgia Juvenile Courts[87]

Georgia Probate Courts[88]

Georgia Municipal Courts[89]

Federal courts located in Georgia

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (headquartered in

Atlanta, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Alabama,
Florida, and Georgia)

United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia[90]

United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia[91]

United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia[92]

Former federal courts of Georgia

United States District Court for the District of Georgia (extinct, subdivided)

Hawaii[edit]
Main article: Courts of Hawaii

Aliilani Hale, in Honolulu, the building where the Hawaii State Supreme Court
meets
State courts of Hawaii

Hawaii State Supreme Court[93]

o Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals[94]

Hawaii State Circuit Courts (4 circuits)[95]

Hawaii State Family Courts (4 circuits)[96]

Hawaii State District Courts (including Small Claims Court)[97]

Hawaii State Land Court[98]

Hawaii Tax Appeal Court[98]

Federal courts located in Hawaii

United States District Court for the District of Hawaii[99]

Idaho[edit]
Main article: Courts of Idaho
State courts of Idaho

Idaho Supreme Court[100]

o Idaho Court of Appeals[100]

Idaho District Courts (7 judicial districts)[101]

Idaho Drug Court

Idaho Mental Health Court

Federal courts located in Idaho

United States District Court for the District of Idaho[102]

Illinois[edit]
Main article: Courts of Illinois

The Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago, headquarters of the United States Court of
Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
State courts of Illinois

Supreme Court of Illinois[103]

o Illinois Appellate Court (5 districts)[104]

Illinois Circuit Courts (24 judicial circuits)[105]

Federal courts located in Illinois

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (headquartered in

Chicago, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Illinois,
Indiana, and Wisconsin)

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois[106]

United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois[107]

United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois[108]

Former federal courts of Illinois

United States District Court for the District of Illinois (extinct, subdivided in
1855)[109]

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois (extinct,
reorganized in 1978)[109]

Indiana[edit]

Main article: Courts of Indiana

State courts of Indiana

The E. Ross Adair Federal Building, seat of the Fort Wayne division of the U.S. District
Court for the Northern District of Indiana

Supreme Court of Indiana[110]

o Indiana Court of Appeals (5 districts; previously Indiana Appellate
Court)[111]

Indiana Tax Court[112]

Indiana Circuit Courts (91 circuits)[113][114]

Indiana Superior Courts (177 divisions)[113][114]

Indiana city and town courts[113][114]

Federal courts located in Indiana

United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana[115]

United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana[116]

Former federal courts of Indiana

United States District Court for the District of Indiana (extinct, subdivided)

Iowa[edit]
Main article: Courts of Iowa
State courts of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court[117]

o Iowa Court of Appeals[118]

Iowa District Courts (8 districts)[119]

Federal courts located in Iowa

United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa[120]

United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa[121]

Former federal courts of Iowa

United States District Court for the District of Iowa (extinct, subdivided)

Kansas[edit]
Main article: Courts of Kansas
State courts of Kansas

Kansas Supreme Court[122]

o Kansas Court of Appeals[123]

Kansas District Courts (31 districts)[124]

Kansas Municipal Courts[125]

Federal courts located in Kansas

United States District Court for the District of Kansas[126]

Kentucky[edit]
Main article: Courts of Kentucky
Kentucky Court of Justice
Under an amendment to the Kentucky Constitution passed by the state's voters in 1975,
[127]
judicial power in Kentucky is "vested exclusively in one Court of Justice", divided
into the following:[128]

Kentucky Supreme Court[129]

o Kentucky Court of Appeals[130]

Kentucky Circuit Courts (57 circuits)[131]

Kentucky District Courts (60 judicial districts)[132]

Federal courts located in this state

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky[133]

United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky[134]

Former federal courts of Kentucky

United States District Court for the District of Kentucky (extinct, subdivided)

Louisiana[edit]
Main article: Courts of Louisiana
State courts of Louisiana

The John Minor Wisdom U.S. Courthouse, home of the United States Court of Appeals
for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans

Louisiana Supreme Court[135]

o Louisiana Circuit Courts of Appeal (5 circuits)[136]

Louisiana District Courts (40 districts)[137]

Federal courts located in Louisiana

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (headquartered in New
Orleans, Louisiana; having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas)

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana[138]

United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana[139]

United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana[140]

Former federal courts of Louisiana

United States District Court for the District of Orleans (territorial court of the
Territory of Orleans, extinct, abolished when Louisiana became a state on April
30, 1812)

United States District Court for the District of Louisiana (extinct, subdivided)

Maine[edit]
Main article: Courts of Maine
State courts of Maine

Maine Supreme Judicial Court[141]

o Maine Superior Court[142]

Maine District Courts (13 districts) [143]

Maine Problem-Solving Courts[144]

Federal courts located in Maine

United States District Court for the District of Maine[145]

Maryland[edit]
Main article: Courts of Maryland

Maryland judicial circuit map

State courts of Maryland

Maryland Court of Appeals[146]

o Maryland Court of Special Appeals[147]

Maryland Circuit Courts (8 judicial circuits)[148]

Maryland District Courts[149]

Federal courts located in Maryland

United States District Court for the District of Maryland[150]

Former federal courts of Maryland

United States District Court for the District of Potomac (18011802; also
contained the District of Columbia and pieces of Virginia; extinct, reorganized)
[151]

Massachusetts[edit]
Main article: Courts of Massachusetts

John Adams Courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts, home to the Massachusetts Supreme

Judicial Court and Massachusetts Appeals Court
State courts of Massachusetts
Judicial courts

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court[152]

o Massachusetts Appeals Court[153]

Massachusetts Trial Court[154]

Massachusetts Superior Court (14 divisions)[155]

Massachusetts District Court[156]

Massachusetts Boston Municipal Court[157]

Massachusetts Land Court[158]

Massachusetts Housing Court[159]

Massachusetts Juvenile Court[160]

Massachusetts Probate and Family Court[161]

Administrative courts

Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board[162]

Massachusetts Division of Labor Relations[163]

Federal courts located in Massachusetts

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (headquartered in Boston,
having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico)

United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts[164]

Michigan[edit]
Main article: Courts of Michigan

Judicial circuits map

State courts of Michigan

Michigan Supreme Court[165]

The Supreme Court is Michigan's court of last resort, consisting of seven justices. Each
year, the Supreme Court receives over 2,000 applications for leave to appeal from
litigants primarily seeking review of decisions by the Michigan Court of Appeals.

The Supreme Court's authority to hear cases is discretionary. The Court grants leave to
those cases of greatest complexity and public import, where additional briefing and oral
argument are essential to reaching a just outcome.
Each justice is responsible for reviewing each case to determine whether leave should
be granted. Cases that are accepted for oral argument may be decided by an order, with
or without an opinion. These orders may affirm or reverse the Michigan Court of
Appeals, may remand a case to the trial court, or may adopt a correct Court of Appeals
opinion.
Cases come before the Court during a term that starts August 1 and runs through July 31
of the following year. The Court hears oral arguments in Lansing beginning in October
of each term. Decisions are released throughout the term, following oral arguments.
In addition to its judicial duties, the Supreme Court is responsible for the general
administrative supervision of all courts in the state.
The Supreme Court also establishes rules for practice and procedure in all courts.

Michigan Court of Appeals[166]

The Michigan Court of Appeals is one of the highest volume intermediate appellate
courts in the country. It was created by the 1963 Michigan Constitution and heard its
first cases in January 1965. Generally, decisions from final orders of a circuit court, as
well as some probate court and agency orders, may be appealed to the court as a matter
of right. Other lower court or tribunal decisions may be appealed only by application for
leave to appeal, i.e., with permission of the court. The court also has jurisdiction to hear
some original actions, such as complaints for mandamus or superintending control
against government officers or actions alleging that state law has imposed an unfunded
or inadequately funded mandate on local units of government.
The judges of the Court of Appeals sit state-wide, although they are elected or appointed
from one of four districts. The districts and their office locations are as follows: District
I is based in Detroit, District II is based in Troy, District III is based in Grand Rapids,
and District IV is based in Lansing. Hearings are held year-round before three-judge
panels in Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. There is no courtroom at the Troy
location. Hearings are also scheduled in Marquette and in a northern Lower Peninsula
location in the spring and fall of each year for the convenience of the parties and their
attorneys in those areas. Judges are randomly assigned to panels to sit in all courtroom
locations so that a variety of judicial viewpoints are considered. At least two of the three
judges on a panel must agree on the ruling in a case for it to be binding. Like most
appellate courts, the Court of Appeals observes the principle of stare decisis so that the
holding in an earlier decision serves as binding precedent in a later appeal. When a
panel expresses its disagreement with a prior opinion, the court rules provide a
mechanism by which a special seven-judge conflict panel may be convened to resolve
the conflict between the earlier opinion and the later decision. MCR 7.215(J). Decisions
of the court may generally be appealed by leave application to the Michigan Supreme
Court.

The Court of Appeals started with only nine judges originally. The number of
judgeships steadily increased through legislation over the years to accommodate the
court's growing caseloadto 12 in 1969, to 18 in 1974, to 24 in 1988, and to 28 in
1993. Due to decreased filings in recent years, the size of the court was reduced in 2012
to 24 judges, which is to be achieved through attrition over time.

Michigan Circuit Courts[167]

In Michigan, the Circuit Court is the trial court with the broadest powers in Michigan.
In general, the Circuit Court handles all civil cases with claims of more than $25,000
and all felony criminal cases (cases where the accused, if found guilty, could be sent to
prison). The family division of Circuit Court handles all cases regarding divorce,
paternity, adoptions, personal protection actions, emancipation of minors, treatment and
testing of infectious disease, safe delivery of newborns, name changes, juvenile offenses
and delinquency, juvenile guardianship, and child abuse and neglect. In addition, the
Circuit Court hears cases appealed from the other trial courts or from administrative
agencies. The friend of the court office is part of the family division of the Circuit Court
and handles domestic relations cases where minor children are involved.
There are 57 Circuit Courts in Michigan. Circuit Court judges are elected for six-year
terms.

Michigan District Courts[167]

Michigan District Courts are often called the people's court. More people have contact
with the District Courts than any other court. The District Courts handles most traffic
violations, all civil cases with claims up to $25,000, landlord-tenant matters, most traffic
tickets, and all misdemeanor criminal cases (generally, cases where the accused, if
found guilty, cannot be sentenced to more than one year in jail). In addition, small
claims cases are heard by a division of the District Courts. In Michigan, a few
municipalities have chosen to retain a municipal court rather than create a District
Courts. The municipal courts have limited powers and are located in Grosse Pointe,
Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, and Grosse Point Shores/Grosse Pointe
Woods.
There are approximately 100 district courts in Michigan. District court judges are
elected for six-year terms.

Michigan Probate Courts[167]

The Probate Court handles wills, administers estates and trusts, appoints guardians and
conservators, and orders treatment for mentally ill and developmentally disabled
persons.

There are 78 Probate Courts in Michigan; probate judges are elected for six-year terms.

Michigan Court of Claims[167]

Michigan also has a Court of Claims for filing cases against the State of Michigan in
which a claim for money damages is made. As of November 12, 2013, the Court of
Claims is part of the Michigan Court of Appeals. The Court of Claims is a specialized
court that handles only claims over $1,000 filed against the State of Michigan or one of
its departments.
Federal courts located in Michigan

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan[168]

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan[169]

Former federal courts of Michigan

United States District Court for the District of Michigan (extinct, subdivided on
February 24, 1863)

Minnesota[edit]
Main article: Courts of Minnesota

Supreme Court Chamber of the Minnesota Supreme Court in the Minnesota State
Capitol in Saint Paul.
State courts of Minnesota

Minnesota Supreme Court[170]

o Minnesota Court of Appeals[171]

Minnesota District Courts (10 districts)[172]

o Minnesota Tax Court[173]

o Minnesota Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals[174]
Federal courts located in Minnesota

United States District Court for the District of Minnesota[175]

Mississippi[edit]
Main article: Courts of Mississippi
State courts of Mississippi

Supreme Court of Mississippi[176]

o Mississippi Court of Appeals[177]

Mississippi Chancery Courts[178]

Mississippi Circuit Courts (22 districts)[179]

Mississippi County Courts[180]

Mississippi Justice Courts[181]

Mississippi Municipal Courts[182]

Mississippi Drug Courts[183]

Mississippi Youth Courts[184]

Federal courts located in Mississippi

United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi[185]

United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi[186]

Former federal courts of Mississippi

United States District Court for the District of Mississippi (extinct, subdivided
on June 18, 1838)

Missouri[edit]

Main article: Courts of Missouri

State courts of Missouri

Missouri State Supreme Court building across from state capitol in Jefferson City.

Supreme Court of Missouri[187]

o Missouri Court of Appeals (3 districts)[188]

Missouri Circuit Courts (45 circuits)[189]

Missouri Municipal Courts[190]

Federal courts located in Missouri

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (headquartered in St.
Louis, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of Arkansas,
Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota)

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri[191]

United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri[192]

Former federal courts of Missouri

United States District Court for the District of Missouri (extinct, subdivided)

Montana[edit]
Main article: Courts of Montana
State courts of Montana

Montana Supreme Court[193]

o Montana District Courts (56 courts, 22 judicial districts)[194][195]

Montana Justice Courts[196]

Montana City Courts[196]

Montana Municipal Courts[196]

o Montana Worker's Compensation Court[195]

o Montana Water Court[195]
Federal courts located in Montana

United States District Court for the District of Montana[197]

United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana[198]

Nebraska[edit]
Main article: Courts of Nebraska
State courts of Nebraska

Nebraska Supreme Court[199]

o Nebraska Court of Appeals[200]

Nebraska District Courts (12 districts)[201]

Nebraska County Courts (93 courts, one for each county)

[202]

Nebraska Juvenile Courts[203]

Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court[204]

Nebraska Problem-Solving Courts and Drug Courts[205]

Nebraska Small Claims Courts[206]

Federal courts located in Nebraska

United States District Court for the District of Nebraska[207]

Nevada[edit]
Main article: Courts of Nevada
State courts of Nevada

The headquarters of the Supreme Court of Nevada in Carson City.

Supreme Court of Nevada[208]

o District Courts of Nevada (9 districts)[209]

Municipal Courts of Nevada[209]

Justice Courts of Nevada[209]

Federal courts located in Nevada

United States District Court for the District of Nevada[210]

New Hampshire[edit]
Main article: Courts of New Hampshire
State courts of New Hampshire

New Hampshire Supreme Court[211]

o New Hampshire Superior Court[212]
o New Hampshire District Court[213]
o New Hampshire Family Division[214]
o New Hampshire Probate Court[215]

Federal courts located in New Hampshire

United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire[216]

New Jersey[edit]

Main article: Courts of New Jersey

State courts of New Jersey

Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, Trenton, New Jersey: The seat of the New Jersey
Supreme Court and the central administrative offices of all statewide courts in New
Jersey.

New Jersey Supreme Court (previously the New Jersey Court of Errors and
Appeals)[217]
o New Jersey Superior Court (including the Appellate Division; 15
vicinages)[218]
o New Jersey Tax Court[219]
o New Jersey Municipal Courts (including Joint Municipal Courts and the
Court of the Palisades Interstate Park)[220]

Federal courts located in New Jersey

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey[221]

Former federal courts of New Jersey

United States District Court for the District of East Jersey (18011802; extinct,
merged)

United States District Court for the District of West Jersey (18011802; extinct,
merged)

New Mexico[edit]
Main article: Courts of New Mexico
State courts of New Mexico

New Mexico Supreme Court[222]

o New Mexico Court of Appeals[222]

New Mexico District Court (13 judicial districts)[223]

New Mexico Magistrate Court[224]

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court[225]

New Mexico Municipal Court[223]

New Mexico Probate Court[223]

Federal courts located in New Mexico

United States District Court for the District of New Mexico[226]

New York[edit]
Main article: Courts of New York
State courts of New York

The 1842 courthouse of the New York Court of Appeals in Albany.

New York Court of Appeals[227]

o New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division (4 departments)[228]

New York Supreme Court (13 judicial districts)[229]

New York County Court (57 courts, one for each county outside
New York City)[230]

New York Surrogate's Court

New York Family Court

New York Court of Claims[231]

New York city courts

New York City Criminal Court

New York City Civil Court

New York town and village courts[232]

Federal courts located in New York

United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (headquartered in

Manhattan, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of
Connecticut, New York, and Vermont)
o United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York[233]
o United States District Court for the Northern District of New York[234]
o United States District Court for the Southern District of New York[235]
o United States District Court for the Western District of New York[236]

United States Court of International Trade (headquartered in New York City)

Former federal courts of New York

United States District Court for the District of New York (extinct, subdivided)

North Carolina[edit]
Main article: Courts of North Carolina
State courts of North Carolina

North Carolina Supreme Court[237]

o North Carolina Court of Appeals[238]

North Carolina Superior Court (46 districts)[239]

North Carolina District Courts (45 districts)[240]

Federal courts located in North Carolina

United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina[241]

United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina[242]

United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina[243]

Former federal courts of North Carolina

United States District Court for the District of North Carolina (extinct,
subdivided)

United States District Court for the District of Edenton (17941797; extinct,
reorganized)

United States District Court for the District of New Bern (17941797; extinct,
reorganized)

United States District Court for the District of Wilmington (17941797; extinct,
reorganized)

United States District Court for the District of Albemarle (18011872; extinct,
reorganized)

United States District Court for the District of Cape Fear (18011872; extinct,
reorganized)

United States District Court for the District of Pamptico (18011872; extinct,
reorganized)

North Dakota[edit]
Main article: Courts of North Dakota
State courts of North Dakota

North Dakota Supreme Court[244]

o North Dakota District Courts (7 judicial districts)[245]

North Dakota Municipal Courts[246]

Federal courts located in North Dakota

United States District Court for the District of North Dakota[247]

Ohio[edit]
Main article: Courts of Ohio
State courts of Ohio

The Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, current headquarters of the Supreme Court
of Ohio.

Supreme Court of Ohio[248]

o Ohio District Courts of Appeal (12 districts)[249]

Ohio Court of Claims[250]

Ohio Courts of Common Pleas[251]

Ohio Municipal Courts[251]

Ohio County Courts[251]

Ohio Mayor's Courts

Federal courts located in this state

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (headquartered in

Cincinnati, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of
Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee)

United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio[252]

United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio[253]

Former federal courts of Ohio

United States District Court for the District of Ohio (extinct, subdivided)

Oklahoma[edit]
Main article: Courts of Oklahoma
State courts of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Supreme Court (civil)[254]

Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals (criminal)[255]

o Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals[254]

Oklahoma District Courts (26 judicial districts with 77 district

courts)[254]

Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Court[256]

Federal courts located in Oklahoma

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma[257]

United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma[258]

United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma[259]

Oregon[edit]
Main article: Courts of Oregon
State courts of Oregon

Courtroom of the Oregon Supreme Court.

Oregon Supreme Court[260]

o Oregon Court of Appeals[261]

Oregon Circuit Courts (36 courts, one for each county,

administratively divided between 27 judicial districts)[262]

Oregon Justice Courts[263]

Oregon Municipal Courts[264]

Oregon County Courts[263]

o Oregon Tax Court[265]

Federal courts located in Oregon

United States District Court for the District of Oregon[266]

Pennsylvania[edit]
Main article: Courts of Pennsylvania
State courts of Pennsylvania

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania[267]

o Superior Court of Pennsylvania (3 districts)[268]
o Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania[269]

Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas (60 judicial districts)[270]

Magisterial District Courts[271]

Federal courts located in Pennsylvania

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (headquartered in

Philadelphia, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of
Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the United States Virgin Islands)

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania[272]

United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania[273]

United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania[274]

Former federal courts of Pennsylvania

United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania (extinct, subdivided
in 1815)

Rhode Island[edit]
Main article: Courts of Rhode Island
State courts of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Supreme Court[275]

o Rhode Island Superior Courts[276]

Rhode Island District Courts[277]

Rhode Island Family Courts[278]

Rhode Island Workers' Compensation Courts[279]

Rhode Island Traffic Tribunals[280]

Federal courts located in Rhode Island

United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island[281]

South Carolina[edit]
Main article: Courts of South Carolina
State courts of South Carolina

South Carolina Supreme Court[282]

o South Carolina Court of Appeals[283]

South Carolina Circuit Courts (16 circuits)[284]

South Carolina Family Courts[285]

South Carolina Probate Courts[286]

South Carolina Magistrate Courts[287]

South Carolina Municipal Courts[288]

Federal courts located in South Carolina

United States District Court for the District of South Carolina[289]

South Dakota[edit]
Main article: Courts of South Dakota
State courts of South Dakota

South Dakota Supreme Court[290]

o South Dakota Circuit Courts (7 circuits)[291]
o South Dakota Magistrate Courts[292]

Federal courts located in South Dakota

United States District Court for the District of South Dakota[293]

Tennessee[edit]
Main article: Courts of Tennessee
State courts of Tennessee

Tennessee Supreme Court[294]

o Tennessee Court of Appeals (3 grand divisions)[295]
o Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals (3 grand divisions)[296]

Tennessee Circuit Courts (31 judicial districts)[297]

Tennessee Chancery and Probate Courts (31 judicial districts)[297]

Tennessee Criminal Courts (31 judicial districts)[297]

Tennessee Municipal and City Courts[297]

Tennessee Juvenile and Family Courts[298]

Tennessee General Session Courts[299]

Federal courts located in Tennessee

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee[300]

United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee[301]

United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee[302]

Former federal courts of Tennessee

United States District Court for the District of Tennessee (extinct, subdivided)

Texas[edit]
Main article: Courts of Texas
State courts of Texas

Texas Supreme Court (Civil)[303]

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (Criminal)[304]

o Texas Courts of Appeals (14 districts)[305]

Texas District Courts (420 districts)[306]

Texas County Courts[307]

Texas Justice Courts[308]

Texas Municipal Courts[309]

Federal courts located in Texas

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas[310]

United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas[311]

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas[312]

United States District Court for the Western District of Texas[313]

Former federal courts of Texas

United States District Court for the District of Texas (extinct, subdivided)

Utah[edit]
Main article: Courts of Utah

The Utah Supreme Court meets in the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse.

State courts of Utah

Utah Supreme Court[314]

o Utah Court of Appeals[315]

Utah District Courts (8 districts)[316]

Utah Juvenile Courts[317]

Utah Justice Courts[318]

Federal courts located in Utah

United States District Court for the District of Utah[319]

Vermont[edit]
Main article: Courts of Vermont
State courts of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court[320]

Vermont Superior Court[321]

o Civil Division[322]
o Criminal Division[323]
o Environmental Division[324]
o Family Division[325]
o Probate Division[326]

Vermont Judicial Bureau[327]

Federal courts located in Vermont

United States District Court for the District of Vermont[328]

Virginia[edit]
Main article: Courts of Virginia
State courts of Virginia

Supreme Court of Virginia[329]

o Court of Appeals of Virginia[330]

Virginia Circuit Court (120 courts divided among 31 judicial

circuits)[331]

Virginia General District Court (courts in 32 districts)[332]

Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

(courts in 32 districts)[333]

Federal courts located in Virginia

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (headquartered in

Richmond, having jurisdiction over the United States District Courts of
Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia)

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia[334]

United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia[335]

Former federal courts of Virginia

United States District Court for the District of Virginia (extinct, subdivided)

United States District Court for the District of Potomac (1801-1802; also
contained the District of Columbia and pieces of Maryland; extinct, reorganized)
[336]

Washington[edit]
Main article: Courts of Washington (state)

State courts of Washington

The headquarters of the Washington Supreme Court in Olympia.

Washington Supreme Court[337]

o Washington Court of Appeals (3 divisions)[338]

Washington Superior Courts (39 courts of general jurisdiction,

one for each county)[339]

Washington District Courts (Courts of limited

jurisdiction)[340]

Washington Municipal Courts (Courts of limited

jurisdiction)[341]

Federal courts located in Washington

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington[342]

United States District Court for the Western District of Washington[343]

Former federal courts of Washington

United States District Court for the District of Washington (extinct, subdivided)

West Virginia[edit]
Main article: Courts of West Virginia
State courts of West Virginia

Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia[344]

o West Virginia Circuit Courts (31 judicial circuits)[344]

West Virginia Family Courts[344]

West Virginia Magistrate Courts[344]

West Virginia Municipal Courts[344]

Federal courts located in West Virginia

United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia[345]

United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia[346]

Former federal courts of West Virginia

United States District Court for the District of West Virginia (extinct,
subdivided)

Wisconsin[edit]
Main article: Courts of Wisconsin
State courts of Wisconsin

Wisconsin Supreme Court[347]

o Wisconsin Court of Appeals (4 districts)[348]

Wisconsin Circuit Court (10 judicial administrative districts)[349]

Wisconsin Municipal Courts[350]

Federal courts located in Wisconsin

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin[351]

United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin[352]

Former federal courts of Wisconsin

United States District Court for the District of Wisconsin (extinct, subdivided)

Wyoming[edit]
Main article: Courts of Wyoming
State courts of Wyoming

Wyoming Supreme Court[353]

o Wyoming District Courts (9 districts)[354]

Wyoming Circuit Courts[355]

Federal courts located in Wyoming

United States District Court for the District of Wyoming[356]

Courts in the District of Columbia[edit]

District of Columbia Court of Appeals[357]

o Superior Court of the District of Columbia[358]

Federal courts located in the District of Columbia

Supreme Court of the United States

o United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
o * United States District Court for the District of Columbia[359]
o * United States Tax Court
o United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
o * United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
o * United States Court of Federal Claims
o United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
o United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review
o * United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court

Former federal courts in the District of Columbia

United States District Court for the District of Potomac (18011802; also
contained pieces of Maryland and Virginia; extinct, reorganized)[151]

Courts of the Territories of the United States[edit]

See also: United States territorial court

American Samoa[edit]

High Court of American Samoa courthouse

High Court of American Samoa[360]

Guam[edit]

Supreme Court of Guam[361]

o Superior Court of Guam[362]

United States territorial court[edit]

District Court of Guam[363]

Northern Mariana Islands[edit]

Northern Mariana Islands Supreme Court[364]

o Northern Mariana Islands Superior Court[365]

United States territorial court[edit]

United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands[366]

Panama Canal Zone[edit]

United States District Court for the Canal Zone[367]

Puerto Rico[edit]

Supreme Court of Puerto Rico (Tribunal Supremo de Puerto Rico)[368]

o Circuit Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico (Tribunal de Apelaciones)[369]
o * Courts of First Instance of Puerto Rico (Tribunal de Primera Instancia;
13 divisions)[370]

Federal courts located in Puerto Rico:

United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico[371]

United States Virgin Islands[edit]

United States Virgin Islands Supreme Court[372]

o United States Virgin Islands Superior Court (2 divisions)[373]

United States territorial court[edit]

District Court of the Virgin Islands[374]

Extraterritorial courts of the United States[edit]

United States Court for China (1906 to 1943), appointed judge held court in
cities in China including Shanghai, Hankow, Tientsin, and Canton.[375][376]

United States Court for Berlin (1979), existed on paper since 1955, but
constituted in fact only once, to hear a single case.

U.S. judicial system in popular culture[edit]

Due to its involvement in the resolution of crimes and conflicts, which are an intricate
part of drama, the U.S. judicial system is often portrayed in American literature and
films.
Several Hollywood films such as A Few Good Men (1992) and Runaway Jury (2003)
are set around its courts.