District court

District court, federal court of original jurisdiction in the U.S. judicial system. It hears both criminal and civil cases that primarily involve federal laws and, in the case of diversity jurisdiction, state laws. Each district court is headed by a judge who is appointed (for life) by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Cases decided by the district courts may be appealed to the Courts of Appeal, the next level in the federal court system.

See also: Appellate court.