Changes

Currently, there are twelve geographic circuits (1st through 11th and the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]]) and the Federal Circuit, which hears appeals from specific courts, as well as from U.S. district courts that concern certain subject matter.<ref>[http://www.uscourts.gov/courtsofappeals.html United States Courts of Appeals]</ref> The thirteen courts have a total of 179 judgeships,<ref>[http://www.uscourts.gov/JudgesAndJudgeships/FederalJudgeships.aspx Federal Judgeships]</ref> although not all of these judgeships are necessarily filled at any given time.

Currently, there are twelve geographic circuits (1st through 11th and the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]]) and the Federal Circuit, which hears appeals from specific courts, as well as from U.S. district courts that concern certain subject matter.<ref>[http://www.uscourts.gov/courtsofappeals.html United States Courts of Appeals]</ref> The thirteen courts have a total of 179 judgeships,<ref>[http://www.uscourts.gov/JudgesAndJudgeships/FederalJudgeships.aspx Federal Judgeships]</ref> although not all of these judgeships are necessarily filled at any given time.

They generally hear cases on small panels, but may elect to hear a case ''en banc'', which is to say, with the entirety of the Circuit's appellate judges.

Federal appellate courts are governed by the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. They generally hear cases on small panels, but may elect to hear a case ''en banc'', which is to say, with the entirety of the Circuit's appellate judges.

There are thirteen U.S. courts of appeal:

There are thirteen U.S. courts of appeal: