Article III of the United States Constitution begins, "The 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 Supreme Court is the nation's "court of last resort," often using its decisions to interpret laws passed by the Legislative Branch and determining their constitutionality. It depends on the Executive Branch to enforce those interpretations.
Lower courts (including state courts not administered by the federal government) can hear both civil and criminal cases. There are specialized courts as well, including bankruptcy and tax courts.
For more information on the United States court system, visit the United States Department of Justice's webpage describing district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court.
Biographical Encyclopedia of the Supreme Court by Make a copy
Government Information is a regional library of the Federal Depository Library Program as well as a depository of Colorado state, United Nations, and European Union information. It consists of over five million items from the United States government, Colorado and other state governments, foreign governments, and international governmental organizations like the UN. As a federal depository, the Library also offers assistance and its collections to members of the public. This includes providing public computers for unrestricted access to government information on the Internet.
We offer a wide array of services to support students, staff, and faculty, including online guides for research, one-on-one consultations, class instruction, phone, email, and walk-in reference.
George Washington Memorial Parkway - Supreme Court Chamber by Amy Davis from the National Archives' Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty. Office of Natural and Human Environment. National Scenic Byways Program. 1991-