1. Federal Courts
Federal Courts include:
• Federal District Courts
• Federal Courts of Appeals
• US Court of International
Trade
2. Federal District Courts
Federal District Courts were created by Congress
to serve as trial courts for both criminal and civil
federal cases.
• District Courts hear hundreds of thousands
of cases each year (80%+ of all federal cases)
• Few cases are appealed
• Minnesota is in district 8
3. Federal District Courts
There are two types of juries in criminal cases:
Grand Jury
• Includes 16-23 people who hear charges
against a person suspected of having
committed a crime
• If the grand jury believe there is sufficient
evidence, an indictment is issued and the
case goes to trial
• If the grand jury believers there is
insufficient evidence, charges are dropped
4. Federal District Courts
There are two types of juries in criminal
cases, continued:
Petit (trial) Jury
• Includes 6 or 12 people in a trial jury
• Reviews the evidence presented at trial
• In a criminal case, the jury gives a
guilty or not guilty verdict
• In a civil case, the jury finds for the
plaintiff or defendant
• If the parties do not want a jury
trial, a judge or panel of 3 judges
can try the case
5. Federal District Courts
Officers of Federal District Courts include:
• US Attorney: Represents the US in all civil suits
brought against the government and to
prosecute people charged with federal crimes
• US Magistrate: Issues arrest warrants and helps
decide whether the arrested person should be
held for a grand jury hearing
• Bankruptcy Judge: Handles bankruptcy cases
• US Marshal: Makes arrests, secures jurors, keeps
order in the courtroom
• Deputy Clerk, Bailiffs, Stenographer, Clerk: keep
records of court proceedings
