Where do most federal cases initially begin?

Most federal cases initially begin in U.S. District Courts. These courts serve as the trial courts of the federal judiciary, where a wide variety of cases are heard, including civil and criminal matters. When federal law is at issue or when the parties are from different states (diversity jurisdiction), these cases fall under federal jurisdiction and are initiated at the district court level.

U.S. Circuit Courts, which are appellate courts, hear appeals from the district courts, while the U.S. Supreme Court serves as the highest court, typically addressing significant legal or constitutional issues and usually involving cases that have already been through lower courts. State courts, while crucial in the overall judicial system, primarily handle cases under state law, meaning they are not where federal cases would start. Understanding this hierarchy and function of each level of the court system clarifies why U.S. District Courts are the correct starting place for federal cases.