Legal Definitions - federal judiciary

The federal judiciary is the branch of the federal governmentresponsible for interpreting and enforcing federal laws. It consists of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts established by Congress. The federal judiciary has jurisdiction over cases arising under the Constitution and federal laws.

• The Supreme Court hears cases involving constitutional issues, such as civil rights and freedom of speech.
• The District Courts are trial courts that hear cases involving federal crimes, bankruptcy, and disputes between citizens of different states.
• The Courts of Appeals hear appeals from the District Courts and have the power to interpret federal laws.

These examples illustrate how the federal judiciary is responsible for interpreting and enforcing federal laws. The Supreme Court, District Courts, and Courts of Appeals each have specific roles in the federal court system and work together to ensure that federal laws are applied fairly and consistently.