Differences between Circuit Court and District Court
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Circuit Court vs. District Court[edit]
In the United-States, the terms "Circuit Court" and "District Court" refer to courts that operate at both the federal and state levels. In the federal system, District Courts serve as the primary trial courts, while Circuit Courts are appellate courts.[1][2] State court systems have their own structures, where the roles and names of these courts can differ significantly.[3][4]
U.S. District Courts are the main trial courts in the federal judiciary.[1][5] There are 94 federal judicial districts across the country, with at least one in every state.[1][5] These courts have jurisdiction to hear a wide range of federal cases, including both civil and criminal matters.[5] They are courts of limited jurisdiction, meaning they can only hear cases that involve the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, or disputes between residents of different states.
U.S. Circuit Courts, officially known as the U.S. Courts of Appeals, are the intermediate appellate courts in the federal system.[2] These courts do not conduct trials but instead review the decisions of the District Courts within their geographic circuit to determine if the law was applied correctly. There are 13 Courts of Appeals in the federal system.[1]
The naming and function of courts at the state level can vary. For example, in Virginia, the Circuit Court is the trial court with the broadest powers, handling serious criminal cases (felonies) and major civil cases. In Illinois, the Circuit Court is also the court of original jurisdiction for most matters. In Maryland, the District Court handles misdemeanors and smaller civil cases, while the Circuit Court hears felonies and more significant civil matters, often with the option of a jury trial.
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | Federal District Court | Federal Circuit Court (Court of Appeals) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Trial Court (original jurisdiction)[1] | Appellate Court (reviews lower court decisions)[1] |
| Proceedings | Conducts trials, hears evidence, and can empanel juries.[5] | Reviews the record from the trial court for legal errors; does not hear new evidence.[2] |
| Types of Cases | Civil and criminal cases arising under federal law, the Constitution, or between states. | Hears appeals from decisions made in the U.S. District Courts.[1][5] |
| Number of Courts | 94 judicial districts.[1][5] | 13 circuits.[1] |
| Decision-Making | A single judge typically presides, often with a jury. | Cases are typically heard by a panel of three judges.[1] |
| Appeal Path | Decisions can be appealed to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for that region.[5] | Decisions can be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.[1] |
State Court Systems[edit]
The distinction between circuit and district courts is less uniform at the state level. Many states designate their primary trial courts as either "Circuit Courts" or "District Courts," but their specific jurisdictions vary. For instance, in some states, Circuit Courts are courts of general jurisdiction, hearing all types of civil and criminal cases. In others, they may share jurisdiction with District Courts based on the monetary value of a civil claim or the severity of a criminal charge.
Appeals from state-level District or Circuit trial courts are typically heard by an intermediate state appellate court, which may be called a Court of Appeals. In some state systems, appeals from a court of limited jurisdiction, such as a District Court, may go to the state's Circuit Court for a new trial, known as a trial de novo.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "justice.gov". Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "uslegalforms.com". Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ↑ "brianlockwoodlaw.com". Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ↑ "congress.gov". Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 "fedbar.org". Retrieved December 10, 2025.
