Cases between two different states Controversies between two citizens from two different states Appeals from state courts deemed worthy of attention in federal courts Cases involving federal laws Cases involving treaties with other nations Cases involving the U.S. Constitution Cases involving ambassadors and public ministers Controversies in which the U.S. is a party Cases between a U.S. citizen and a foreign country. Judges are appointed to federal courts by the president and Congress confirms the appointments. Congress decides the number of judges on each level and the geographical size of each court's district. The circuit court is not obligated to hear cases appealed from the district court. If the circuit court decides not to hear a case, the case is finished and the district court ruling remains effective.
Lawyers argue on merit of prior case in the district court.
The Court only rules on about 100 cases per year. Only a very few cases make their way to the Supreme Court. Supreme Court has nine justices. The Supreme Court and Federal Courts were viewed by the framers as the least dangerous branch of government. One main reason that the judiciary was considered weak was because it could not enforce it's decisions.