{"id":369035,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/legal-system\/introduction-to-the-u-s-legal-system.html"},"modified":"2024-05-03T16:04:55","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T21:04:55","slug":"introduction-to-the-u-s-legal-system","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/introduction-to-the-u-s-legal-system.html","title":{"rendered":"Introduction to the U.S. Legal System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Introduction to the U.S. Legal System<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The legal system in the United States is not composed of a single set of laws and courts. Instead, an inter-connected web of laws, regulations, and courts stretches across the country at the state and federal levels. Courts interpret state and federal law to refine the rules through case law.<\/p>\r\n

The federal and state court systems have a hierarchy that allows higher courts to review decisions made by lower courts. Also, both systems have civil and criminal courts.<\/p>\r\n

FindLaw’s Legal System section provides a closer look at the U.S. court system, including the federal court system and state court cases. This section also includes information about civil courts, including articles about class action lawsuits, tips on negotiating a settlement, the judge’s role in court, and a helpful glossary with terms related to courts and the law.<\/p>\r\n

The United States Judiciary: Federal and State Courts<\/h2>\r\n

The United States has two court systems: federal and state courts. Each court system hears criminal and civil cases. This section describes the differences and similarities between the federal and state court systems.<\/p>\r\n

Federal Courts Explained<\/h3>\r\n

Article III of the U.S. Constitution<\/a> allows Congress to create a federal court system<\/a>. The federal judiciary has 13 courts of appeals, 94 U.S. district courts, a court of federal claims, and a court of international trade. The United States Supreme Court, the final arbiter of any case, is also a federal court.<\/p>\r\n

If you file a case in the federal system, your case begins at the district court level with a federal judge. If you appeal<\/a> your case, a federal circuit court will hear the appeal. If you appeal the circuit court’s decision, you must petition<\/a> the U.S. Supreme Court to hear your case.<\/p>\r\n

The Supreme Court grants reviews (certiorari) of about 100 cases a year<\/a> and is not obligated to hear your case. You can learn more about Supreme Court justices from FindLaw’s Supreme Court Center<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Federal District Courts have jurisdiction<\/a> (i.e., the ability to hear a case) over the following types of cases<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n