The U.S. Constitution directed the creation of a federal judiciary. While the Supreme Court was the only court expressly mentioned in the document, the Constitution gave Congress the power to establish other federal courts. Although our current federal court system seems very well-established, it is only the latest edition of the federal judiciary. Historically, Congress changes the judicial system to fit modern requirements. The federal court system contains three levels.
District courts have original federal jurisdiction.
There are ninety-two districts, with at least one in each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The circuit courts of appeals hear appeals from the district courts, as well as cases involving federal regulatory agencies. The U.S. Supreme Court is the country's highest court. Congress also created some special federal courts, such as the federal claims court and the tax court. Some of these special courts are of very recent vintage, and show Congress's continuing role in adapting the federal judiciary to fit legal and public needs.