Government Branches: Judicial (Text Only)

Judicial Branch

The judicial branch hears cases that challenge or require interpretation of the legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President. It consists of the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts. Appointees to the federal bench serve for life or until they voluntarily resign or retire.

The Supreme Court is the most visible of all the federal courts. The number of Justices is determined by Congress rather than the Constitution, and since 1869, the Court has been composed of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. Justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

The United States Supreme Court

The Federal Judicial Center The U.S. Federal Courts

The United States Code United States Tax Court

Public Access to Court Electronic Records
(PACER)

The United States Court of Appeals

First Circuit Fifth Circuit Eighth Circuit Eleventh Circuit

Third Circuit Sixth Circuit Ninth Circuit D.C. Circuit

Fourth Circuit Seventh Circuit Tenth Circuit Federal Circuit

The United States Court of Appeals
First Circuit	Fifth Circuit	Eighth Circuit	Eleventh Circuit
Third Circuit	Sixth Circuit	Ninth Circuit	D.C. Circuit
Fourth Circuit	Seventh Circuit	Tenth Circuit	Federal Circuit

Branches of Government
| Executive | Judicial | Legislative |