Which courts typically have original jurisdiction in federal matters?

Which courts typically have original jurisdiction in federal matters?

• A. Courts of Appeals have original jurisdiction
• B. District courts have original jurisdiction
• C. Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in all cases
• D. The federal government has original jurisdiction only in constitutional matters

Answer: (B)

Original jurisdiction means a court can hear a case for the first time, with evidence presented and witnesses examined, rather than reviewing a decision on appeal. In the federal system, this starting role belongs to the district courts. They are the trial courts that handle most federal questions and federal crimes, making them the initial venue for federal matters. Courts of Appeals, by contrast, review and rule on cases that have already been decided in district court. The Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction is limited to a narrow set of cases, such as disputes between states or cases affecting ambassadors, not the general rule. So the district courts are the ones with original jurisdiction in federal matters.