"The Judicial Branch consists of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal Judicial Center. According to the Constitution, '[t]he judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.' The Federal Judicial Center is the education and research agency for the federal courts."
Click here for additional information on the Supreme Court, Lower Courts, Special Courts, and Court Supported Organizations.
U.S. Courts
"The U.S. Courts are an independent national judiciary providing fair and impartial justice within the jurisdiction conferred by the Constitution and Congress. As an equal branch of government, the federal Judiciary preserves and enhances its core values as the courts meet changing national and local needs."
U.S. Tax Court
"The United States Tax Court is a court of record established by Congress under Article I of the U.S. Constitution. When the Commissioner of Internal Revenue has determined a tax deficiency, the taxpayer may dispute the deficiency in the Tax Court before paying any disputed amount. The Tax Court’s jurisdiction also includes the authority to redetermine transferee liability, make certain types of declaratory judgments, adjust partnership items, order abatement of interest, award administrative and litigation costs, redetermine worker classification, determine relief from joint and several liability on a joint return, review certain collection actions, and review awards to whistleblowers who provide information to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue on or after December 20, 2006."
State Courts
This page provides Judicial Branch links for each state, focusing on the administrative office of the courts, the court of last resort, any intermediate appellate courts, and each trial court level.
Tribal Courts
This page provides general information on the justice systems of tribal nations and links to official tribal court websites. Find more information on tribal justice systems, please see Tribal Constitutions and Tribal Codes.
Use the resources listed below to locate information on specific U.S. Supreme Court cases, decisions or other related legal issues.