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Simple English definitions for legal terms

federal courts

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A quick definition of federal courts:

Federal Courts are courts that have the power to hear certain types of cases that involve federal laws or the U.S. Constitution. There are three levels of federal courts: district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court. District courts are where trials take place and where facts are found. Appeals from district courts go to one of the 12 circuit courts, and if a party wants to appeal a circuit court decision, they can ask the Supreme Court to hear the case. There are also special courts that deal with specific types of cases, like copyright or bankruptcy issues.

A more thorough explanation:

Federal Courts are courts that have limited jurisdiction and the authority to hear cases that fall within the scope defined in Article III Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution and Congressional statutes. These cases include:

  • Cases involving a federal question
  • Cases involving diversity
  • Cases between two states

The federal court system is composed of three separate levels: district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court. District courts function as trial courts and act as the initial finders of fact. Appeals from District courts go to one of the 12 circuit courts, each of which serves a separate geographic area. A party wishing to appeal a circuit court decision can appeal for a writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court. If this writ is granted, the Supreme Court will hear the case. Additionally, the federal court system also has trial courts of special and exclusive jurisdiction that decide specific types of controversies such as copyright or bankruptcy issues.

For example, if a person believes their constitutional rights have been violated by a government agency, they can file a lawsuit in federal court. Another example is if a person from one state sues a person from another state for damages in excess of $75,000, they can file a lawsuit in federal court.

These examples illustrate how federal courts have the authority to hear cases that fall within their limited jurisdiction, as defined by the U.S. Constitution and Congressional statutes.

federal court | Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

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yeah most colleges are very liberal with their days off
amlaw
16:18
@ararara: sorry i didn’t think i was saying anything bad, just talking about the waitlist experience
[] ararara
16:32
It just sounds like you're dooming I would get off this thing!
16:43
i'm happy all the time
16:44
going to my ex-boyfriend's best friend's comedy show tn
16:46
also it's july i don't think anything substantive is going on in this chat
amlaw
16:46
yeah
amlaw
16:47
is your ex’s friend funny
[] ararara
16:49
Not if you take the chat and fill it up with long paragraphs so that relevant comments disappear. Please don't be difficult. Have a good day people!
16:53
probably? when we were in college he won our school's comedy competition
[] ararara
16:53
@pookiebear: CONGRATS GW IS HUGE
amlaw
16:55
that’s cool bunny
16:58
yeah idk if my ex shows up i will cry or punch someone
amlaw
17:00
risky
why not both
amlaw
17:00
well i don’t encourage violence but if you feel the need to punch someone hopefully it’s him
s95
17:01
hi this doesnt seem like the place to ask this but does anyone know any law schools that are good for a future specialization in immigration law?
babybunny
17:01
they live like two hours away from me and I think the friend decided to do this show specifically to see me which is a whole other can of worms
amlaw
17:02
ooh this is like a romance book
[] ararara
17:04
@s95: My cousin is an immigration attorney who recently argued in front of the supreme court. He attended the University of Houston for law school. There are so many good schools for immigration law, countless clinics.
[] ararara
17:05
@s95: The higher the rank though basically means more opportunities possibly with a debt trade off. It's hard for me to say more without knowing your goals though. Awesome you already have an idea what you want to do as a lawyer!
[] ararara
17:06
I would research immigration law clinics
@s95: generally school specialties are kind of silly. it’s usually the rank of the school that determines the opportunities you can get from it across the board
with caveats for strong regional schools with a regional focus and so on
17:27
@s95 University of San Diego
twinkletwinklestar
22:47
@dkkm10: nice diss
23:32
Ahh well I kinda meant that seriously given I know 3 attorneys who went there and they did immigration law afterwards.
23:33
They have a really strong immigration clinic too.
Happy fourth of july future lawyers !! :)
USD actually does really well for immigration in the SoCal region, and is known to have a great clinic.
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