district court
Local federal tribunal
A district court is a trial court with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area, typically handling cases that originate within that district rather than appeals from lower courts.
In the U.S. federal system, district courts are the primary trial courts where most federal cases begin, with at least one in every state.
State court systems also use the term, though the level and scope vary by jurisdiction.
The case was filed in federal district court.
Civil court proceeding
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
- attorneyLicensed legal representative
- litigatorAttorney who argues disputes
discovery · deposition · evidence · testimony · cross-examination · settlement · damages · class action
Official court decision
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- rulingFormal legal determination
- opinionSubjective personal belief
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
conviction · sentence · injunction · decree · dismissal · appeal · remand · precedent
One who decides
- magistrateCivil judicial officer
- clerkOffice record-keeper
- bailiffLegal proceeding overseer
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
public defender · marshal · probation officer · law clerk · attorney · juror · witness · litigant
Court's case schedule
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
- motionChange in position
- pleadingsFormal litigation documents
complaint · summons · filing · case · sentencing · continuance · dismissal · ruling
Judicial proceedings chamber
- chambersEnclosed functional rooms
- benchShared seating surface
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
- witness standPlace for giving testimony
jury box · clerk's office · holding cell · security checkpoint · public entrance · podium · gavel · robe
lawsuit
Civil court proceeding
litigator · discovery · deposition · evidence · testimony · cross-examination · settlement · damages · class action · counterclaim
verdict
Official court decision
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- rulingFormal legal determination
- opinionSubjective personal belief
acquittal · conviction · sentence · injunction · decree · dismissal · appeal · remand · precedent · finding
judge
One who decides
- magistrateCivil judicial officer
- clerkOffice record-keeper
- bailiffLegal proceeding overseer
prosecutor · public defender · marshal · probation officer · law clerk · attorney · juror · witness · litigant · appellant
docket
Court's case schedule
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
- motionChange in position
pleadings · complaint · summons · filing · case · sentencing · continuance · dismissal · ruling · order
courtroom
Judicial proceedings chamber
witness stand · jury box · clerk's office · holding cell · security checkpoint · public entrance · podium · gavel · robe · seal
federal
Divided governmental authority
- stateCondition or mode
- venuePlace of occurrence
- territorialDefensive about owned space
subject matter · diversity · original · limited · general · circuit · appellate · removal · transfer · forum
- courtsfederal courts, circuit courts, municipal courts, trial courts, family courts
- state courtssmall claims
- African lawindigenous law, attorney general, penal code, Islamic courts, statutory law
- French LawNapoleonic Code, magistrates, judiciary, civil courts, criminal courts
- lawlaw, lawyer, lawyers, attorney, attorneys
- legal systemattorney, landmark cases, criminal cases, lawyers, legal precedents
district courtSupreme Court
Nation's top tribunal
appellate court · court of appeals · appeals court · highest court · court of last resort
court, district, courthouse, jurisdiction, districts, redistricting, subdistrict, district attorney