Changes

!Number

!Number

|-

|-

|78175

|78175

|-

|-

|73749

|73749

|-

|-

|53611

|53611

|-

|-

|37020

|37020

|-

|-

|32306

|32306

|-

|-

|2829

|2829

|-

|-

|Total

|Total

There are only 50 states and a few territories, so some states have more than one federal district court.  New York has four.  Illinois has three.  New Jersey has one.  The Virgin Islands, a United States territory, has one federal district court.

There are only 50 states and a few territories, so some states have more than one federal district court.  New York has four.  Illinois has three.  New Jersey has one.  The Virgin Islands, a United States territory, has one federal district court.

The path of a federal case is typically as follows.  A plaintiff first files a lawsuit in a federal district court.  It is assigned to a federal judge, who once was appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.  Federal judges do not stand for election or reelection, and serve for as long as they want.  The good news is that they are insulated from the irrational public; the bad news is that there is very little accountability.  The judges are supposed to apply the Rule of Law to the dispute before them.

The path of a federal case is typically as follows.  A plaintiff first files a lawsuit in a federal district court.  It is assigned to a federal judge, who once was appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.  Federal judges do not stand for election or reelection, and serve for as long as they want.  2829The good news is that they are insulated from the irrational public; the bad news is that there is very little accountability.  The judges are supposed to apply the Rule of Law to the dispute before them.

Not every case can be filed in federal court.  If someone is complaining about a violation of federal law, then the lawsuit may be brought in federal court.  But if the complaint is based on state law against a defendant who resides in the same state, then the federal courts lack jurisdiction.  That case must be filed in state court, where judges are typically elected.

Not every case can be filed in federal court.  If someone is complaining about a violation of federal law, then the lawsuit may be brought in federal court.  But if the complaint is based on state law against a defendant who resides in the same state, then the federal courts lack jurisdiction.  That case must be filed in state court, where judges are typically elected.