Federalism and Court Systems

Overview

This lecture explains the concept of federalism in the United States and describes the structure of both the federal and state court systems.

Federalism divides government power between the national (federal) government and individual state governments.
The federal government is based in Washington DC, while each of the 50 states has its own government.
The federal government regulates interstate trade and can declare war.
State governments have their own laws, police forces, and control over schools.
Both federal and state governments share certain powers, such as taxation.
Federalism results in both federal and state legal (court) systems.

The trial-level federal courts are called United States District Courts.
Intermediate appellate federal courts are known as Circuit Courts of Appeals.
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court.
District Courts exist in each state and are organized geographically into circuits.
Appeals from District Courts go to the Circuit Court of Appeals in the relevant circuit.
Appeals from Circuit Courts of Appeals go to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Each state has its own court system due to federalism.
Every state has a trial-level court, often called a Superior Court.
Most states have an intermediate appellate court, usually called the Court of Appeals or Appellate Division.
The highest state court is usually called the State Supreme Court.

Federalism — a system where government power is divided between national and state governments.
Federal Government — the national government based in Washington DC.
State Government — individual governments of each of the 50 U.S. states.
United States District Court — the trial-level federal court.
Circuit Court of Appeals — the intermediate appellate federal court organized by geography.
Supreme Court of the United States — the highest federal court.
Superior Court — typical name for state trial-level court.
State Supreme Court — highest appellate court in a state.

Review the hierarchy of federal and state courts and their functions.
Be able to define and differentiate between federalism, federal, and state courts.