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The organization of the judiciary, the district and circuit boundaries, the places of holding court, and the number 

established by laws passed by Congress and signed by the President. The number of federal judges in each distri

appeals is authorized by Congress on the basis of workload. In addition to the adjudication of cases, other related functions, such as the provision of criminal defense serviceof offenders, are prescribed by statute. Following is a brief overview of the work of the courts and other related Judicial Branch. United States Supreme Court The United States Supreme Court consists of nine justices, one of whom is appointed as Chief Justice of the United States. The Supreme Court is the final arbiter in the federal court system. United States Courts of Appeals There are 12 regional courts of appeals and 167 authorized appellate court Article III judgeships nationwide. These 12 courts of appeals have jurisdiction over cases within a regional area or “circuit.” The 12 regional courts of appeals review cases from the United States district courts and the United States Tax Court as well as orders and decisions from a number of federal administrative agencies. 

Overview of the Judiciary 
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United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has exclusive national jurisdiction over a large numbe

areas, including international trade, government contracts, patents, trademarks, certain monetary claims against tgovernment, federal personnel, and veterans’ benefits. Appeals to the court come from all 94 federal district couUnited States Court of Federal Claims, the United States Court of International Trade, and the United States CouVeterans Claims. There are 12 authorized Article III circuit judgeships on the Court.

United States District Courts There are 94 district courts in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the 

the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The U.S. District Courts are the courts of general jurifederal court system, and most federal cases are initially tried and decided in these courts. There are 677 authoridistrict court judgeships nationwide. 

The Federal Magistrates Act of 1968 created the office of magistrate judge to assist 

the district court judges. Magistrate judges are non-Article III judges appointed by the district judges, and they serve for a term of years rather than a lifetime appointment. Full-time magistrate judges serve a term of eight years and may be reappointed. 
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United States Bankruptcy Courts The bankruptcy courts are separate units of the district courts. Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over ba

bankruptcy case cannot be filed in a state court. United States bankruptcy judges are non-Article III judges appoappeals for a term of years, rather than a lifetime appointment. They serve for a term of 14 years and may be rea

United States Court of International Trade The Court of International Trade, with nine Article III judges, has exclusive nationwide jurisdiction of civil actio

States, its agencies and officers, and certain civil actions brought by the United States, arising out of import transadministration and enforcement of the federal customs and international trade laws. United States Court of Federal Claims 

The Court of Federal Claims has nationwide jurisdiction over claims against the federal government. Its 16 judges are appoyears by the President with the advice and consent of the Senato the Court of Federal Claims are authorized under Article I oand do not have the tenure and salary protections of Article III 
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Probation and Pretrial Services Federal probation and pretrial services officers protect the public through the investigation and supervision of deoffenders within the federal criminal justice system. A pretrial services officer supervises defendants awaiting trinto our communities and provides a source of information upon which the court can determine conditions of relewhile criminal cases are pending adjudication. In support of sentencing determinations, which require both unifo

attention to individual circumstances, probation officers provide the court with reliable information concerning thvictim, and the offense committed, as well as an impartial application of the sentencing guidelines. Probation of

offenders sentenced to probation, as well as offenders coming out of federal prison who are required to serve a te

release. Defender Services The federal judiciary oversees and administers the federal defender and appointed counsel program, which provirepresentation and other services to persons financially unable to obtain counsel in criminal and related matters iSixth Amendment to the Constitution guarantees that “[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the 

assistance of counsel for his defense.” The Criminal Justice Act provides that courts shall appoint counsel from 

community defender organizations or from a panel of private attorneys (“panel attorneys”) established by the cou

Court Security The judiciary’s Court Security appropriation funds protective guard services and security systems and equipment 

courthouses and other facilities housing federal court operations. These services are contracted for and managed Justice’s United States Marshals Service, with additional guard services provided by the Department of Homelan

Protective Service. Fees of Jurors and Commissioners The judiciary receives funding to provide for the statutory fees and allowances of federal grand and petit jurors a

compensation of land commissioners. 
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Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts is the central support entity for the judicial branch. It has managem

court security program, the probation and pretrial services program, and the defender services program. It suppoConference of the United States in determining judiciary policies; develops new methods, systems, and programs business of the federal courts efficiently and economically; develops and supports the application of technology; statistics on the business of the federal courts for accurate planning and decisions about resource needs; provides management services and personnel and payroll support; and conducts audits and reviews to ensure the continued 

of federal court operations. Federal Judicial Center The Federal Judicial Center is the judiciary’s research and education agency. The Center undertakes research anjudicial operations and procedures for both the committees of the Judicial Conference and the courts themselves. court personnel, and others orientation, continuing education, and training through seminars; curriculum units fomonographs and manuals; and audio, video, and interactive media programs. Payment to Judicial Trust Funds This appropriation finances annuity payments to retired bankruptcy judges and magistrate judges, U.S. Court of Fjudges, and spouses and dependent children of deceased judicial officers.

United States Sentencing Commission The U.S. Sentencing Commission promulgates sentencing policies, practices, and guidelines for the federal criminal justice system. The Chair, three Vice Chairs, and three other voting commissioners are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.