Courts of Appeal

State Courts of Appeal, also known as intermediate appellate courts, review decisions from trial courts to ensure the correct application of law. They do not conduct new trials but evaluate the trial court's proceedings for legal errors.

A State Supreme Court serves as the highest judicial authority within a state. It reviews decisions from intermediate appellate courts and, in some cases, directly from trial courts. The State Supreme Court's interpretations of state law are final and binding within that state.

Federal Courts of Appeal, or Circuit Courts, handle appeals from federal district courts within their respective circuits. There are 13 such circuits in the U.S. In contrast, State Courts of Appeal deal with appeals arising from state trial courts and interpret state laws. While federal appellate courts set precedents on federal law, state appellate courts do so concerning state law.

State Supreme Courts are the final arbiters of state law, whereas the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the federal judiciary. The U.S. Supreme Court primarily addresses issues involving federal law or constitutional questions and has discretionary jurisdiction, meaning it selects which cases to hear, often those with significant national implications.

To appeal a State Supreme Court decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, one must file a petition for a writ of certiorari. The U.S. Supreme Court may choose to hear cases that involve substantial federal or constitutional issues. However, the Court accepts a limited number of cases each term.

The structure of State Courts of Appeal varies by state. Some states have intermediate appellate courts between trial courts and the State Supreme Court, while others do not. For example, Florida has five District Courts of Appeal serving different regions.

The volume of appeals in state courts varies annually and by jurisdiction. For detailed and current statistics, consulting the National Center for State Courts or individual state court annual reports is recommended.

State Courts of Appeal handle a broad spectrum of appeals, including:

• Criminal Appeals: Challenges to convictions or sentences.
• Civil Appeals: Disputes over legal obligations, property, contracts, or family law matters.
• Administrative Appeals: Reviews of decisions made by state administrative agencies.

The caseload of federal appellate courts varies by circuit and year. For instance, in recent years, the Ninth Circuit has managed a higher volume of cases compared to other circuits. For precise and up-to-date statistics, refer to the U.S. Courts' official reports.

Each Federal Circuit Court of Appeals handles appeals from district courts within its jurisdiction, covering both civil and criminal matters. The Federal Circuit uniquely has nationwide jurisdiction over specialized cases, such as patent laws and cases involving international trade.

The U.S. Courts of Appeals were established to alleviate the caseload burden on the Supreme Court. Over time, their number and size have expanded, with each court having at least three judgeships by the 1920s. Notably, the Tenth Circuit was created in 1929, and the Eleventh Circuit in 1980.Understanding the structure and caseload of the U.S. Courts of Appeals is essential for grasping the federal judicial system's functionality. Below, we provide detailed insights into the organization, jurisdiction, and recent caseload statistics of these appellate courts.

The United States is divided into 12 regional circuits, each with its own Court of Appeals:

• First Circuit: Covers Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island.
• Second Circuit: Includes Connecticut, New York, and Vermont.
• Third Circuit: Encompasses Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Virgin Islands
• Fourth Circuit: Serves Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
• Fifth Circuit: Consists of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
• Sixth Circuit: Comprises Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.
• Seventh Circuit: Includes Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
• Eighth Circuit: Covers Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
• Ninth Circuit: The largest circuit, serving Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and territories like Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
• Tenth Circuit: Encompasses Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming.
• Eleventh Circuit: Includes Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
• District of Columbia Circuit: Handles cases from the District of Columbia.
  
  

Additionally, the Federal Circuit has nationwide jurisdiction over specialized cases, such as those involving patents and international trade.

The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the federal judiciary and serves as the final arbiter of constitutional and federal law. It was established in 1789 by Article III of the U.S. Constitution and has played a critical role in shaping American law and society.

Founding and Early Years (1789-1801)

• The Supreme Court was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789, signed into law by President George Washington.
• The first Chief Justice was John Jay, and the Court initially had six justices.
• In the early years, the Court had limited influence, with justices also serving as circuit judges in lower courts.

The Marshall Court (1801-1835) – Establishing Judicial Authority

• Chief Justice John Marshall (1801-1835) transformed the Court into a powerful institution.
• In Marbury v. Madison (1803), the Court established the principle of judicial review, allowing it to strike down unconstitutional laws.
• This decision solidified the Supreme Court's role as the final interpreter of the Constitution.

The Taney Court and Civil War Era (1836-1864)

• Chief Justice Roger B. Taney (1836-1864) led the Court through significant cases, including Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), which ruled that African Americans could not be U.S. citizens, intensifying tensions leading to the Civil War.
• After the Civil War, the Court played a role in interpreting Reconstruction laws and amendments.

Expansion of Federal Power (1865-1930s)

• The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the Court ruling on economic and social regulations, including Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), which upheld racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.
• The Court shifted towards supporting New Deal legislation during President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s era after initial resistance.

Civil Rights and Landmark Decisions (1950s-1970s)

• The Warren Court (1953-1969), under Chief Justice Earl Warren, made groundbreaking civil rights rulings, including:
  • Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which ended racial segregation in public schools.
  • Miranda v. Arizona (1966), which established Miranda rights for criminal suspects.
• The Burger Court (1969-1986) ruled on Roe v. Wade (1973), legalizing abortion nationwide.

Modern Era and Contemporary Issues (1986-Present)

• The Rehnquist Court (1986-2005) and the Roberts Court (2005-present) have overseen key rulings on issues like healthcare (Affordable Care Act), same-sex marriage (Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)), and voting rights.
• The Court remains a highly influential and often controversial institution in American governance.
  
  

For a detailed history and decisions, visit:
U.S. Supreme Court Official Website
Oyez Supreme Court Database

The United States Courts of Appeals, organized into 12 regional circuits and one Federal Circuit, handle a substantial number of cases annually. Below is a summary of recent caseload statistics:

• Overall Filings: In 2022, there were 42,900 filings in the 12 regional courts of appeals, a 7% decrease from the previous year.
• Federal Circuit: This specialized court saw a 7% increase in filings in 2023, totaling 1,482 cases.
  
  

Each federal circuit court handles appeals from district courts within its jurisdiction, covering both civil and criminal matters. The Federal Circuit has nationwide jurisdiction over specialized cases, such as patent laws and cases involving international trade.

State courts of appeal handle a diverse array of cases, with caseloads varying significantly across different states. For detailed and up-to-date statistics on state appellate court caseloads, the Court Statistics Project provides comprehensive data.

The number of appeals filed varies annually across the circuits. For instance, in 2021, filings in the 12 regional courts of appeals decreased by 8% to 44,546 cases. In 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit experienced a 15% decrease in filings, totaling 1,390 cases. However, in 2023, filings in the Federal Circuit rose by 7% to 1,482 cases.

Each circuit court primarily hears appeals from district courts within its jurisdiction, covering both civil and criminal matters. The Federal Circuit is unique in its subject-matter jurisdiction, which includes:

• International Trade: Cases involving trade disputes and customs issues.
• Government Contracts: Disputes arising from contracts with federal agencies.
• Patents and Trademarks: Appeals related to patent and trademark rulings.
• Monetary Claims Against the U.S. Government: Cases involving financial claims.
• Federal Personnel and Veterans' Benefits: Disputes concerning federal employment and veterans' entitlements.