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The judicial branch is responsible for passing judgment on legal cases that challenge or require interpretation of acts of Congress and for trying criminal cases in which the defendant is accused of violating federal law. Federal courts also have appellate jurisdiction over state laws when challenged on constitutional grounds, and jurisdiction over cases involving more than one state, citizens of more than one state, or foreign parties.

The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts, including the Courts of Appeal (also known as Circuit Courts or Appellate Courts), federal district courts, bankruptcy courts, and courts of federal claims. The courts of the federal judiciary hear both civil and criminal cases appealed from state courts. Their original jurisdiction covers cases relating to patents, trademarks, claims against the federal government, bankruptcy, financial securities, maritime law, and international claims.

As a separate branch of government, the judiciary is independent of the other two branches, subject only to the checks and balances defined in the Constitution. An independent federal judiciary is considered essential to ensure fairness and equal justice for all citizens.

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• U.S. Government - America.gov
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• U.S. Government Manual
• United States Sentencing Commission
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• Courts (National Criminal Justice Reference Service)
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• Federal Judicial Center
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• Biographies of Current Members of the Supreme Court
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• United States District Courts
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• Federal Judicial Center
• The National Center for State Courts
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• U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
• U.S. Courts of Appeals
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• Administrative Office of the United States Courts
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• Court Locator