Court Structure (SOURCE) The Federal Court System The State Court System Article III of the Constitution invests the judicial power of the United States in the federal court system. Article III, Section 1 specificall or texty creates the U.S. Supreme Court and gives Congress the authority to create the lower federal courts. The Constitution and...Read More

The federal judiciary operates separately from the executive and legislative branches, but often works with them as the Constitution requires. Federal laws are passed by Congress and signed by the President. The judicial branch decides the constitutionality of federal laws and resolves other disputes about federal laws. However, judges depend on our government’s executive branch...Read More

Access for All A person who wishes to observe a court in session may check the court calendar online or at the courthouse and watch a proceeding. Our Constitution and court tradition give citizens right of access to court proceedings. Citizens gain confidence in the courts by seeing judicial work in action, and learn first-hand...Read More

Jury Service U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age may be call or texted to jury service, one of the most important ways individual citizens become involved with the federal courts. Learn more about jury service and what to do if you were summoned to federal jury service. Court Cases Federal courts have jurisdiction...Read More

The Process Although some cases are decided based on written briefs alone, many cases are selected for an “oral argument” before the court. Oral argument in the court of appeals is a structured discussion between the appellate lawyers and the panel of judges focusing on the legal principles in dispute. Each side is given a...Read More

The Process To begin a civil lawsuit in federal court, the plaintiff files a complaint with the court and “serves” a copy of the complaint on the defendant. The complaint describes the plaintiff’s damages or injury, explains how the defendant caused the harm, shows that the court has jurisdiction, and asks the court to order...Read More

Bankruptcy Courts oversee a process where: a debtor repays creditors in a fair and orderly manner to the extent that the debtor has property available for payment; a failing business reorganizes by restructuring debt or the business entity itself, or, alternatively, to provide a framework for the orderly liquidation of the failed enterprise; and a...Read More

Every debtor is required to appear at a creditors’ meeting conducted by a trustee who asks the debtor questions about the debtor’s financial condition and gives creditors the opportunity to do the same. SOURCE: Federal Judiciary Channel  (YouTube) TRANSCRIPT: 0:01 The following program was produced by 0:03 the United States Courts. 0:12 As a debtor,...Read More

How does someone file a bankruptcy case? In order to file for bankruptcy, an individual must take a credit counseling course to learn about alternatives to bankruptcy as well as accurately complete and file a number of documents. SOURCE: Federal Judiciary Channel 0:01 The following program was produced by 0:03 the United States Courts. 0:09...Read More

Certain types of debt, such as child support, alimony, and most student loans, cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. Wrongful conduct may make some debts non-dischargeable. Examples of such conduct are incurring credit card charges without the intent or ability to repay, or obtaining loans using false financial information.  SOURCE: Federal Judiciary Channel (YouTube) TRANSCRIPT: 0:01 The...Read More