District Courts
The entry point for most litigation in the federal courts is one of the district courts of which there are 91, with at least one in each state. The district courts are courts of original jurisdiction; they hear no appeals. They are the only federal courts that hold trials and impanel juries.
District judges are supported by an elaborate supporting cast, including clerks, bailiffs, law clerks, stenographers, court reporters, and probation officers. An important player at the district court level is the U.S. attorney. Each of the 91 regular districts has a U.S. attorney who is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. They prosecute violations of federal law and represent the U.S. government in civil cases. Most of the cases handled in the district courts are routine, and few result in policy innovations. |
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The jurisdiction of the district courts extends to the following:
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