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LSDefine

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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goofy-goober
15:36
I just wanna see my results man, waiting is so painful :~(
any word on scalia or any school lol
oakenrays
15:52
scalia is dead fortunately
oakenrays
15:52
law schools are coming out slowly but surely
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:03
@UnderRepresentedTryhard: Yes only for YM applicants tho
RoaldDahl
16:05
dodged the mich r wave what does this mean
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:06
it means you will not be rejected today and may be accepted or WL in the future
Just got my Michigan rejection
BookwormBroker
16:10
same
RoaldDahl
16:10
@HopefullyInLawSchool: what if i already got rejected. does it mean anything
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:12
@RoaldDahl: Likely not however it could mean nothing
RoaldDahl
16:15
So if it means nothing does that mean something?
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:17
Possibly
RoaldDahl
16:26
Cool
RoaldDahl
16:26
thank you!!!! i hope it means something
pinkandblue
16:31
fart
IrishDinosaur
16:36
Mich R gang lesgooo
Did anyone else get that random get to know nova email?
HopefullyInLawSchool
17:21
Ya it was sent to all YM applicants
starfishies
17:37
Anyone get the NDLS email inviting you to apply for something even though they haven’t made a decision on your app yet
17:38
Better yet I got the email and I was rejected last month
starfishies
17:38
Wtf
starfishies
17:39
and the deadline is in like a week what is this
any cardozo movement?
BatmanBeyond
18:01
Sent a LOCI via portal, but I'm wondering if email would have gotten me a swifter response
BatmanBeyond
18:02
This whole hold/wait-list/reserve system is a headache
loci already?
BatmanBeyond
18:09
If the odds are like 1-2% I don't think it matters much by the numbers
12:11
I got the same NDLS email
OrangeThing
12:18
I think the user profiles are broken
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