U.S. Judicial Branch (Courts): Introduction

Free public access to United States government documents in a federal depository library is guaranteed by law (44 USC §1911).  While UC Berkeley houses one of the most comprehensive collections of U.S. government documents in the country, the Library is one of over a thousand Federal Depository Libraries across the United States, and one of several Federal Depository Libraries in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Introduction

Created by Article III of the U.S. Constitution, the Federal Court system is comprised of the Supreme Court. Congress divided the nation into districts and created federal courts for each district under Article I, Section 8. The present structure includes:

• Supreme Court
• 13 courts of appeals
• 94 district courts
• 2 courts of special jurisdiction: U.S. Court of International Trade and U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• Map showing where the courts are located.

Congress retains the power to create and abolish federal courts, as well as to determine the number of judges in the federal judiciary system. See also: History of the Federal Judiciary via Federal Judicial Center.

Need help with research?  Have a question about the collection or the UC Berkeley Library?  Here are two ways to get in touch with me:

• Schedule an appointment with me
• Send me an email: jsilvaucb (at) berkeley (dot) edu