Powers of the U.S. Court of Appeals

The U.S. Courts of Appeals are the intermediate appellate courts in the federal court system. There are 13 Courts of Appeals, including one for each of the geographical circuits and one for the federal circuit. These courts typically hear appeals from lower federal courts, such as the district courts or specially-designated courts like the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Designation of Circuits

Formerly named and sometimes still referred to as “U.S. Circuit Courts,” each of the twelve Courts of Appeals assigned to a designated geographical circuit also encompasses several of the 94 federal districts. Thus, appeals from these associated district courts are heard by the corresponding U.S. Court of Appeals. Congress determines the boundaries and divisions of the districts.

Cases Heard by U.S. Courts of Appeals

These courts may hear any case which originates from the district courts within their circuit, as well as those which involve federal administrative agencies such as the armed forces. They are also considered to be Article III tribunals, which means that the Constitution has outlined their powers and existence under Article III. The Supreme Court has ruled in the past that only these courts may decide cases involving life, liberty and private property rights. In the case that someone wants to appeal the decision of a U.S. Court of Appeals, they must petition the Supreme Court to hear it.

Judges

The judges who preside over the U.S. Courts of Appeals are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Constitution provides for this appointment. Though there are no outright requirements for federal judges to adhere to, many have several years of experience in the area of constitutional law, and may even come from high appellate state courts. Confirmations of the judges are held by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Article III of the Constitution also states that these judges are appointed to the court for life, and their salary may never be reduced. The only exception to this life term is if a judge is found guilty of treason, bribery, misdemeanors and similar crimes by Congress.  They can then be removed from office. The maintenance of the judgeship salaries is aimed to prevent a judge from being influenced by outside political influences. Contrary to popular belief, the federal Judiciary, Judicial Conference of the U.S. and Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts have no role in the confirmation of these federal judges.

Each judicial circuit is assigned a certain number of judges by Congress, usually based upon caseload and population of the encompassed districts and geographical area. As few as six judges and as many as 28 currently serve in each of these circuits of the U.S. Courts of Appeals. More information about these federal courts is available at

http://www.uscourts.gov/http://www.peoplepublicrecords.org/courtsofappeals.html.