The federal court system, as established by the Judiciary Act of 1789, consists of which levels?

• A. District Courts, Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court
• B. Federal Circuit Courts, Tax Courts, and Supreme Court
• C. State Courts, Local Courts, and Municipal Courts
• D. Circuit Courts, District Courts, and the High Court

Answer: (A)

The federal court system has three levels: district courts at the bottom for trials, Courts of Appeals in the middle for reviewing trial decisions, and the Supreme Court at the top as the final authority. The Judiciary Act of 1789 established this three-tier structure to provide trial courts, an appellate pathway, and a highest court to resolve important questions. Other options mix in state or local courts, use outdated or incorrect names like Federal Circuit Courts or High Court, or refer to an older arrangement where “circuit” meant something different. So the correct structure is district courts, Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court.