The Supreme Court Article III of the Constitution states that the Supreme Court is run by one Chief Justice and eight associate justices. The court hears cases cases involving issues about the interpretation of the Constitution and federal law. Cases end up at the Supreme Court as appeals that have already passed through lower courts in the federal system.
The District Courts There are 94 district courts in the federal system within regional circuits. These courts hear many cases dealing with civil and criminal law.
The Bankruptcy Courts The federal courts have jurisdiction over all bankruptcy cases. Bankruptcy cannot be filed in state courts. The main reasons for these types of courts are to give a debtor a fresh start by taking away the majority of the debt he/she has, and to repay the creditor with money that the debtor has available.
Special Courts The U.S. Court of International Trade hears cases involving U.S. trade with foreign countries and customs issues and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims considers claims for monetary damages made against the U.S. government, federal contract disputes and disputed "takings" or claiming of land by the federal government.