Contents
California Courts Directory
California's unified court system operates under the Judicial Council and consists of the Supreme Court, six Courts of Appeal, and Superior Courts in all 58 counties. The California Judicial Branch website provides centralized access to case information, rules, and published opinions. Links below are organized by court level, with direct access to each court's official website.
Appellate Courts
Superior Courts by County
Court Rules & California Resources
Federal Court System Overview
The federal court system operates as a three-tiered hierarchy handling cases involving federal law, interstate disputes, and bankruptcy matters. The structure ensures legal disputes are reviewed through multiple levels of appeal, with the highest court making final determinations on constitutional and federal legal questions.
94 federal judicial districts across the United States, including at least one in each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Jurisdiction: Federal civil and criminal cases, constitutional issues, federal crimes, bankruptcy, and interstate disputes.
Key functions:
- Determine facts and apply law
- Conduct jury trials when required
- Issue initial decisions on legal matters
- Over 600 judges appointed by the President
13 appellate courts review decisions from district courts and federal agencies.
Circuit organization:
- 12 regional circuits covering geographic areas
- 1 Federal Circuit (specialized jurisdiction)
- 1 D.C. Circuit (covers Washington, DC)
Process: Cases decided by 3-judge panels based on written briefs and oral arguments. Review legal decisions — do not retry cases or hear new evidence.
The nation's highest judicial body and final arbiter of constitutional questions.
9 justices total (8 associate + 1 Chief Justice). Review is discretionary — the Court accepts fewer than 1% of cases submitted.
Cases accepted when:
- Constitutional questions require clarification
- Federal appellate courts have conflicting decisions
- Cases involve unusually important legal principles
Supreme Court decisions are binding on all lower courts nationwide.
State Court Systems
Each state maintains its own court system operating under state constitutions and statutes. State courts handle the overwhelming majority of civil and criminal cases in the United States — including family law, contract disputes, property issues, criminal prosecutions, and state regulatory matters.
Most cases originate in trial courts:
- Courts of General Jurisdiction: Felony criminal cases and major civil disputes
- Courts of Limited Jurisdiction: Misdemeanors, infractions, small claims
Examples: district courts, circuit courts, superior courts, municipal courts
Present in most (but not all) states:
- Review decisions from trial courts
- Address legal errors in lower court proceedings
- May handle appeals from administrative agencies
- Some states have multiple appellate levels
Examples: Court of Appeals, Appellate Court
Highest state court authority:
- Court of last resort for state cases
- Interprets state constitution and laws
- Usually discretionary jurisdiction
- Sets state legal precedent
Note: Texas and Oklahoma maintain separate criminal and civil supreme courts
Important note on state court naming: States use different terminology for court levels. For example, New York's "Supreme Court" is the trial court (not the highest court), while the "Court of Appeals" is the state's highest court. Always verify the specific structure in your state.
Types of Courts & Jurisdiction
Federal Court Types
90 bankruptcy courts operating as units of district courts nationwide. All bankruptcy cases must be filed in federal court — cannot be filed in state court.
Case types:
- Chapter 7 — liquidation bankruptcies
- Chapter 11 — business reorganizations
- Chapter 13 — personal debt reorganizations
- Chapter 12 — family farm bankruptcies
Cases arising under federal law, the U.S. Constitution, or federal treaties.
Common case types:
- Constitutional law disputes
- Federal statutory claims
- Civil rights violations
- Environmental law cases
- Intellectual property disputes
Patents, trademarks, and federal crimes have exclusive federal jurisdiction.
Requirements: Parties from different states AND amount exceeding $75,000.
Purpose: Prevent bias against out-of-state parties; federal courts apply state law in these matters.
Common disputes:
- Contract disputes between state residents
- Personal injury claims (multi-state)
- Property damage and business disputes
Federal crimes must be prosecuted in federal court — exclusive jurisdiction.
Federal crimes include:
- Bank robbery and financial crimes
- Drug trafficking
- Interstate commerce crimes
- Counterfeiting and securities fraud
- Tax evasion and national security violations
State Court Types
Handle state criminal prosecutions for felonies and misdemeanors.
- Homicide and violent crimes
- Property crimes
- Drug offenses and white-collar crimes
- Traffic violations
Right to counsel, jury trial, and appeal guaranteed under law.
Disputes between individuals and entities (non-criminal).
- Contract and property disputes
- Personal injury claims
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Business disputes
Remedies: monetary damages, injunctions, specific performance.
Specialized jurisdiction for family-related legal matters.
- Divorce and separation
- Child custody and support
- Adoption proceedings
- Domestic violence protective orders
- Spousal support / alimony
Handle matters related to estates and wills.
- Will probate and validation
- Estate administration
- Trust disputes
- Guardianship matters
- Inheritance disputes
The Appeals Process
Federal Appeals — Step by Step
Notice of Appeal
After sentencing or judgment, a party has 14 calendar days to file a Notice of Appeal in the trial court to initiate the process.
Case Record Assembly
The trial court compiles the complete case record — including transcripts, evidence, and all filed documents — for transmission to the appeals court.
Appellate Briefs
Attorneys file written briefs presenting legal arguments about whether the trial court correctly applied the law. These form the basis for appellate review.
Oral Arguments
Attorneys argue before a panel of three judges — typically 15 minutes per side. Some cases are decided on briefs alone.
Panel Decision
The three-judge panel issues a written decision affirming, reversing, or modifying the lower court's decision. This generally becomes final.
Supreme Court Review
A losing party may file a petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court. Fewer than 1% of petitions are granted.
Key distinction from trial: Unlike trial courts, appellate courts do not retry cases, hear new evidence, listen to witnesses, or use juries. They review whether the law was correctly applied to the facts already established at trial.
State appeals follow a similar general structure, though details vary by jurisdiction. Most states allow appeals from trial courts to appellate courts, and further appeals to the state supreme court under specified conditions, governed by state rules of appellate procedure.
Specialized Courts
Established under Article I as a specialized federal trial court.
Key advantage: Taxpayers may litigate tax disputes without first paying the disputed taxes — unlike other federal courts.
19 judges appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Appeals go to the federal circuit courts.
90 specialized courts serving as units of the 94 federal district courts.
All federal bankruptcy matters; cases cannot be filed in state court. Received 467,774 bankruptcy petitions in 2024 (16% increase from prior year).
Appeals go to the district court or Bankruptcy Appellate Panel (BAP).
Hears appeals nationwide in specialized areas regardless of geography:
- Patent law (exclusive jurisdiction)
- Trademark disputes
- International trade cases
- Federal Claims Court appeals
Handles international trade disputes:
- Tariff classifications
- Anti-dumping duties
- Countervailing duty disputes
- Trade agreement interpretations
Appeals to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
Handles monetary claims against the federal government.
- Contract disputes with the federal government
- Breach of government contracts
- Federal employee claims
- Native American claims
Based in Washington, D.C.; hears cases nationwide.
State systems commonly include courts for specific matters:
- Traffic Courts — vehicle violations
- Small Claims Courts — minor civil disputes (typically under $5,000–$10,000)
- Drug Courts — treatment-focused for first-time offenders
- Mental Health Courts — cases involving mental health issues
- Juvenile Courts — cases involving minors
Accessing Court Records & Services
PACER — Federal Court Records
PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) provides public access to federal court records nationwide — over 1 billion documents from all federal courts including district, appellate, and bankruptcy courts.
Access options:
- PACER Case Locator: Search nationwide index of federal cases (updated daily) — free registration required
- Court-Specific Search: Access case records for specific courts with real-time updates
- Available 24 hours daily, including weekends and holidays
- No search fees through the Case Locator; minimal document retrieval fees apply
Access: pacer.uscourts.gov | Support: (800) 676-6856
State Court Records
Court records in state courts are generally public, though certain documents (matrimonial/family case files, juvenile records) may have restricted access.
- Court Clerk's Office: Submit requests directly to the clerk in the county where the case was filed
- Online Systems: Many states offer electronic case search and document retrieval
- Public Inspection: Anyone may examine case files in person at the courthouse during business hours
- Certified Copies: Available for official use (fees apply)
Free legal assistance for low-income individuals through the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which funds 131 independent nonprofit organizations nationwide.
Income eligibility (2025): Approximately 125% of federal poverty line (~$19,563 individual; ~$40,188 family of 4).
Find local aid: LawHelp.org
Many state court systems offer self-help services for people representing themselves.
- Free legal information workshops
- Court forms and instructions
- Form completion assistance
- Court procedure guidance
Contact your local courthouse for self-help center information and location.
Court Resources & Directories
Official Federal Court Resources
- United States Courts — uscourts.gov — Official federal judiciary website with court information, PACER access, statistics, and forms
- Department of Justice — justice.gov — Federal prosecution information, U.S. Attorneys' offices, and legal resources
- Federal Judicial Center — fjc.gov — Federal court research, education, and historical information
- PACER — Public Access to Court Electronic Records — Search federal court records nationwide, available 24/7
State Court Directories
- National Center for State Courts — ncsc.org — State court organization information, links to state court systems, and judicial statistics
- Individual State Court Systems: Each state maintains official websites with court information, forms, and case search (search "[Your State] Courts" online)
Lawyer Directories & Bar Associations
- American Bar Association — americanbar.org — Professional organization for attorneys, legal resources, and bar directories
- State Bar of California — calbar.ca.gov — Verify attorney licensing, check bar status, and disciplinary history in California
- Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission of Illinois — illinoisattorneyregistration.org — Illinois attorney licensing and disciplinary records
Court Reporting & Legal Research Services
- Lexitas — Professional court reporting, deposition services, and litigation support nationwide
- U.S. Legal Support — Court reporting and deposition services across 2,700+ U.S. cities
- Veritext — Legal technology services, deposition, and litigation support solutions
Finding an attorney: Use your state's official bar association website to verify attorney licensing and check disciplinary history. In 44 states and DC, bar association databases are searchable online. Contact your state bar directly if an online database is unavailable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between federal and state courts?
Federal courts handle cases involving federal law, constitutional questions, interstate disputes, federal crimes, and bankruptcy matters. They have limited jurisdiction based on case type.
State courts handle the vast majority of civil and criminal cases — contract disputes, personal injury, family law, property matters, and state crimes. They operate under state constitutions and laws.
In general, state courts have broader jurisdiction and handle more cases, while federal courts address specialized matters involving federal interests.
Can I appeal a court decision in my case?
In most cases, yes. A losing party has the right to appeal an unfavorable trial court decision to an appellate court. Key points:
- Time limit: In federal court, you typically have 14 days to file a Notice of Appeal after judgment. State timelines vary.
- Appellate review: The appeals court reviews whether the law was applied correctly — not whether you like the outcome.
- No new evidence: Appeals are based on the trial record; new evidence generally cannot be introduced.
- Legal grounds required: You must show legal error in the trial court proceedings.
How do I find federal court records online?
The PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system provides access to federal court records nationwide.
- Visit pacer.uscourts.gov
- Register for a free PACER account
- Use the PACER Case Locator to search nationwide federal cases
Case searches are free; document retrieval incurs a minimal per-page fee. PACER is available 24/7 including weekends and holidays.
What is diversity jurisdiction and why does it matter?
Diversity jurisdiction allows federal courts to hear civil cases between parties from different states when the amount exceeds $75,000.
The Constitution created diversity jurisdiction to prevent bias against out-of-state parties in state courts. Federal courts apply state law to diversity cases — not federal law. Either party can initiate the case in federal court under this doctrine.
Practical impact: If you're in a contract or injury dispute with someone from another state and the amount exceeds $75,000, you may have the option to file in federal court.
What is the difference between trial courts and appellate courts?
Trial Courts:
- Facts are determined through evidence and testimony
- Juries may be used in criminal and civil cases
- Judge applies law to the established facts
- Decision is rendered for the winning party
Appellate Courts:
- No juries; three-judge panel decides most cases
- Focus on whether law was correctly applied
- No new evidence or witnesses; based on written briefs and case record
- May affirm, reverse, or remand to lower court
How do bankruptcy courts work?
Bankruptcy courts are specialized federal courts handling cases where individuals or businesses cannot pay their debts.
- Exclusive federal jurisdiction: All bankruptcy cases must be filed in federal bankruptcy court — not state court
- Chapter 7: Liquidation — assets sold to pay creditors
- Chapter 11: Business reorganization
- Chapter 13: Wage earner repayment plan
- Chapter 12: Family farm reorganization
Filing bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that prevents creditors from collecting while the court reorganizes debts. Federal bankruptcy courts processed 467,774 cases in 2024.
What happens when someone is tried in federal court?
Federal criminal proceedings follow established constitutional procedures:
- Investigation: Federal law enforcement (FBI, DEA, IRS, etc.) investigates federal crimes
- Arrest and charges: U.S. Attorney's office files charges in federal district court
- Initial appearance: Defendant appears before judge within 72 hours; bail/release determined
- Grand jury indictment: Federal felonies require grand jury indictment
- Arraignment: Formal plea entered (guilty/not guilty)
- Discovery: Prosecution and defense exchange evidence
- Trial or plea: Case proceeds to jury trial or plea agreement
- Sentencing: Judge imposes sentence within federal guidelines if convicted
- Appeals: Right to appeal to federal court of appeals
How can I find out if I am eligible for free legal aid?
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funds free legal aid through 131 nonprofit organizations nationwide.
Income eligibility (2025): Generally 125% of federal poverty line — approximately $19,563 for an individual or $40,188 for a family of 4.
Services typically cover family law, housing, domestic violence, benefits, and consumer issues.
To find local legal aid:
- Visit LawHelp.org and search by state
- Visit USA.gov/legal-aid
- Contact your local legal aid organization directly
How do state courts compare to federal courts in caseload?
State courts handle the overwhelming majority of cases in the U.S. judicial system:
- Handle 95%+ of all civil and criminal cases
- Address family law, property disputes, personal injury, contracts, and most criminal matters
- Much larger court systems than federal courts
Federal courts handle smaller volume but specialized cases:
- 94 federal district courts nationwide with limited jurisdiction
- Focus on federal law, constitutional issues, and interstate matters
If your case involves state law matters (divorce, personal injury, property), it will almost certainly be handled by state courts.
What should I do if I want to appeal a court decision?
Steps to appeal a trial court decision:
- Act quickly: In federal court, file a Notice of Appeal within 14 days. State timelines vary — check your state's rules immediately after a decision.
- Understand standards: Appeals succeed only when showing legal error — not simply disagreement with the outcome.
- Hire an attorney: Appeals are complex and require legal expertise. Strongly recommended.
- File Notice of Appeal: Initiates the process in the appropriate appellate court.
- Appeal brief: Your attorney prepares a written brief explaining the legal errors claimed.
- Oral argument: Present arguments to appellate judges (may be waived in some cases).
- Decision: Appellate court issues a written decision affirming, reversing, or remanding the case.
The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Grand Park Law Group does not endorse any linked external resource. Laws and court procedures vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. For legal advice specific to your situation, please contact our office.