Getting Started
Understanding Court Structure & Jurisdiction
How US courts are organized and how to figure out which one has the power to hear your case.
Local rules vary: Court names, levels, and which court handles which case type differ by state. Confirm the correct court and venue on your state's judicial branch website.
Two parallel systems
The United States has two main court systems running side by side: federal courts and state courts. Most everyday disputes — contracts, landlord-tenant, family, small claims, personal injury — are heard in state courts. Federal courts handle cases involving federal law, the US government, or parties from different states where the amount in dispute is large.
Trial courts and appellate courts
Within each system there are levels:
- Trial courts hear the case first — they take evidence, find facts, and enter a judgment.
- Appellate courts review whether the trial court applied the law correctly; they generally don't re-hear facts.
Two kinds of jurisdiction
- Subject-matter jurisdiction is whether this type of court can hear this type of case. A family court won't hear a contract dispute.
- Personal jurisdiction is whether the court has authority over the parties — usually tied to where someone lives or where the events happened.
Venue
Even when a court has jurisdiction, you must file in the right venue — the proper county or district. Filing in the wrong place can cost time and money.
Where to look
Your state's judicial branch website usually has a plain-English guide to its courts, a court finder, and the rules and forms each court uses. Start there.