How Many United States Courts Of Appeals Are There? | Federal Court Structure

Understanding the structure of the federal judiciary helps illuminate how justice is administered across the nation. These courts serve as a critical layer in the federal system, reviewing decisions made by lower courts and some administrative agencies. Grasping their number and function provides insight into the intricate balance of legal review and judicial oversight.

The Foundational Role of Federal Appellate Courts

The United States Courts of Appeals function as intermediate appellate courts within the federal judicial system. They stand between the federal trial courts, known as U.S. District Courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Their primary responsibility involves reviewing legal decisions made by these lower courts.

When a party is dissatisfied with a decision from a U.S. District Court, they generally have the right to appeal that decision to the appropriate Court of Appeals. These appellate courts do not conduct new trials or hear new evidence. Instead, they examine the record of the trial court proceedings to determine if any legal errors occurred that affected the outcome of the case.

• Appellate review focuses on questions of law, not questions of fact.
• Judges on these courts review briefs submitted by attorneys and often hear oral arguments.
• Decisions from these courts are binding on the district courts within their respective circuits.

How Many United States Courts Of Appeals Are There? A Detailed Count

The federal judiciary is structured into 13 distinct Courts of Appeals. This number includes the geographical circuits that cover specific regions of the United States, alongside specialized courts with nationwide jurisdiction over particular types of cases. Each court plays a specific role in maintaining legal consistency and fairness.

The 13 courts are categorized into three main types:

1. Eleven Regional Circuit Courts: These courts are numbered First through Eleventh and cover specific geographical areas, including multiple states and territories.
2. The D.C. Circuit: This court, formally known as the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, handles cases primarily originating from federal agencies and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
3. The Federal Circuit: This court, formally known as the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, has nationwide jurisdiction over specific subject matters, such as patent law and international trade.

This structure ensures that appeals are handled efficiently, whether they involve general legal disputes or highly specialized areas of law.

Understanding the Eleven Regional Circuits

The eleven regional circuits divide the United States and its territories into distinct geographical areas for appellate review. Each circuit has its own court of appeals, which hears cases appealed from the U.S. District Courts within its boundaries. The composition of these circuits reflects the nation’s diverse legal landscape.

For example, the Ninth Circuit is the largest, covering several western states, while the First Circuit is much smaller geographically. The judges serving on these courts are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, holding lifetime tenure. Their decisions are crucial in shaping legal interpretation within their respective regions.

Here is a breakdown of the states and territories covered by each of the eleven regional circuits:

Circuit Number	Geographical Coverage (Key States/Territories)	Headquarters
First Circuit	Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island	Boston
Second Circuit	Connecticut, New York, Vermont	New York City
Third Circuit	Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, U.S. Virgin Islands	Philadelphia
Fourth Circuit	Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia	Richmond
Fifth Circuit	Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas	New Orleans
Sixth Circuit	Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee	Cincinnati
Seventh Circuit	Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin	Chicago
Eighth Circuit	Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota	St. Louis
Ninth Circuit	Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Washington	San Francisco
Tenth Circuit	Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming	Denver
Eleventh Circuit	Alabama, Florida, Georgia	Atlanta

The Unique Role of the D.C. Circuit

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit holds a unique and significant position within the federal judiciary. Its jurisdiction primarily involves appeals from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, as well as direct review of decisions and rulemakings by many federal administrative agencies.

Because Washington, D.C., is the seat of the federal government, this court frequently hears cases involving challenges to federal regulations, executive orders, and agency actions. This often places the D.C. Circuit at the forefront of legal issues concerning environmental law, telecommunications, energy policy, and national security. Its decisions often have nationwide implications, shaping administrative law and policy.

The Specialized Jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stands apart from the regional circuits due to its subject-matter jurisdiction rather than geographical boundaries. Established in 1982, this court was created to bring uniformity and expertise to specific areas of federal law that had previously been handled by various regional circuits.

Its nationwide jurisdiction covers appeals in specialized fields, ensuring consistent legal interpretation across the country for these complex areas. This specialization promotes predictability and efficiency in legal outcomes for industries and individuals operating within these specific legal frameworks.

Key areas of the Federal Circuit’s jurisdiction include:

• Patent law cases, appealed from U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• International trade disputes, appealed from the U.S. Court of International Trade.
• Claims against the U.S. government, appealed from the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
• Veterans’ benefits cases, appealed from the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
• Certain personnel matters involving federal employees.

Judges and the Appellate Process

Cases in the Courts of Appeals are typically heard by panels of three judges. These panels review the written briefs submitted by the attorneys for each side and often listen to oral arguments. The judges then deliberate and issue a written opinion, explaining their legal reasoning.

In certain circumstances, a case may be heard “en banc,” meaning by all the active judges of the circuit. This usually occurs when a case involves a question of exceptional importance or when there is a need to resolve conflicting decisions within the circuit. The en banc review ensures that the entire court has the opportunity to weigh in on significant legal issues.

The appellate process is distinct from a trial:

Aspect	U.S. District Courts (Trial Courts)	U.S. Courts of Appeals (Appellate Courts)
Primary Function	Hear evidence, determine facts, apply law	Review lower court decisions for legal errors
Parties Present	Witnesses, juries, attorneys, judge	Attorneys (for arguments), panel of judges
Evidence	New evidence, testimony, exhibits	No new evidence; review of trial record
Focus	Questions of fact and law	Questions of law only
Outcome	Verdict or judgment	Affirm, reverse, remand, or modify lower court decision

Historical Context and Evolution

The structure of the federal Courts of Appeals was not always as it is today. Prior to the late 19th century, the Supreme Court justices themselves had to “ride circuit,” traveling to various regions to hear appeals. This system became increasingly burdensome as the nation grew and the number of cases increased.

The Evarts Act, officially known as the Judiciary Act of 1891, was a landmark piece of legislation that created the modern system of federal appellate courts. This act established nine circuit courts of appeals, relieving the Supreme Court of much of its mandatory appellate caseload and allowing it to focus on cases of national importance. Over time, as the country expanded and legal needs evolved, more circuits were added, leading to the current configuration of 13 Courts of Appeals.

Relationship with the Supreme Court

Decisions made by the United States Courts of Appeals are final unless they are appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States and the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case. The Supreme Court typically grants review in only a small percentage of the cases appealed to it, usually those involving significant constitutional questions or conflicts between different circuit court decisions.

This discretionary review by the Supreme Court means that the Courts of Appeals play a vital role in the final resolution of most federal legal disputes. Their interpretations of federal law and the Constitution often stand as the definitive legal rulings for their respective circuits, guiding future decisions by district courts and influencing legal practice across the nation.