Answer to Question 1
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The federal court system is a three-tiered system that consists of U.S. district courts, the U.S. courts of appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
There are 94 district courts that handle all federal trials. Every state has at least one federal district court. The number of judicial districts is determined by population and caseloads.
The U.S. Courts of Appeals are referred to as the U.S. circuit courts of appeals. There are a total of 13 U.S. courts of appeals that hear appeals from the district courts located within their respective judicial circuits. The decisions of the circuit courts of appeals are final unless a further appeal is pursued and granted.
The Supreme Court is the most powerful court in the country and its rulings profoundly affect American society. The Supreme Court makes important criminal justice policy through judicial review and the interpretation of the law. The Supreme Court is the final interpreter of the Constitution. The Supreme Court consists of nine justices.
Answer to Question 2
1 . lower courts, or local trial courts of limited jurisdiction
2 . trial courts of general jurisdiction
3 . appellate courts
4 . the state's highest court