Circuit Courts

Circuit courts in the United States are part of the federal and state judicial systems. They operate as intermediate appellate courts in the federal system and typically as trial courts of general jurisdiction in many state systems. The term "circuit" originated from the historical practice of judges traveling within a designated geographic region or circuit to hear cases.

The federal court system is divided into 13 circuit courts of appeals, which review decisions from the federal district courts. These circuit courts do not hold trials but assess legal and procedural errors that may have occurred in lower court rulings. At the state level, circuit courts may function differently, often acting as the major trial courts handling civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters.

The circuit court is essential to the efficiency of the judicial system in the United States because it is where most appealed disputes are resolved, especially in the federal system. The court also operates as a court of record in state judicial systems. Decisions of the circuit court shape the law within their jurisdiction, and their records are typically accessible to the public, offering transparency, accountability, and an accessible pathway for justice.

The Federal Circuit Court System

The U.S. federal appellate court system ensures consistent interpretation and application of federal law across the nation. At its core are the 13 courts of appeals, which act as an intermediate layer between the Supreme Court and the trial-level district courts.

The 13 U.S. Courts of Appeals

The U.S. federal appellate system comprises 13 courts of appeals: 12 regional circuits and one specialized court, which is known as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Each of the 12 regional circuit courts hears appeals from the federal district courts located within its geographic boundaries. For example, the Ninth Circuit, which is the largest per population and caseload, covers western states, such as California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, and Nevada.

These regional circuits issue precedential opinions binding within their circuit (unless overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court) and review decisions of federal agencies to determine whether legal errors occurred during the original proceedings. The circuits do not conduct trials or hear new evidence. Rather, panels of three judges review the trial records and written briefs and may hear oral arguments.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit differs from the regional circuits in that it has nationwide jurisdiction based on subject-matter, not geographical location or coverage. This court is headquartered in Washington, D.C, and hears cases involving,

• Patent law,
• International trade,
• Veteran's benefits,
• Government contracts, and
• Specific money claims against the federal government.

The decisions of this court are binding nationwide on the specialized subject-matter jurisdiction.

Key Types of Cases Heard

The U.S. Courts of Appeals primarily hear civil and criminal appeals, constitutional challenges, and reviews of federal agency decisions. Common cases include

• Disputes over federal statutes,
• Constitutional rights,
• Sentencing issues, and
• Agency actions, such as immigration or Social Security decisions.

These courts issue written opinions and conduct oral arguments when warranted, but they do not hold new trials or accept new evidence, as their focus is on legal interpretation rather than fact-finding.

State Circuit Courts

State circuit courts differ from federal circuit courts not only in their structure and jurisdiction, but also in the types of cases heard.

Structure and Jurisdiction

In many states across the nation, circuit courts typically serve as the primary trial courts of general jurisdiction, which usually authorizes them to hear a wide range of civil and criminal cases.

For example, states like Florida and Missouri use their circuit courts as the main judicial forum for serious legal matters. However, rather than being organized strictly by county, some states (such as Illinois and West Virginia) group multiple counties into judicial circuits, each served by a circuit court.

Note that while the term "circuit court" is used by many states, some states refer to similar courts as superior or district courts. Despite the difference in the nomenclature, these courts often serve the same function: handling major trials and legal proceedings at the state level.

Types of Cases Heard

Circuit courts in the United States typically hear the following types of cases:

• Civil Lawsuits: These include disputes involving monetary damages above the small-claims threshold, such as personal injury, contract disputes, property damage, and business litigation.
• Felony Criminal Cases: These are serious criminal offenses, such as homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, arson, rape, fraud, and drug and public-safety felonies.
• Family Law Matters: These matters cover issues such as divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, and adoption.
• Probate and Estate Cases: These include matters relating to the administration of wills, the distribution of estates, guardianships, and conservatorships.
• Appeals from Lower Courts: Circuit courts usually hear appeals from municipal, justice, or limited-jurisdiction courts.

States Using the "Circuit Court" Nomenclature and Their Judicial Circuit Organization

Many U.S. states use the term "circuit court" to describe their trial courts of general jurisdiction. However, the structure and organization of these courts vary significantly by state.

This table identifies which states use the circuit court nomenclature and their judicial circuit organization:

Circuit Court Dockets and Records

Circuit court dockets and records provide an official documentation of legal proceedings, detailing the steps from initial filings to final judgments. These records support transparency, accountability, and legal review, serving both the courts and the public.

What Circuit Court Records Include

Circuit court records typically consist of a range of documents generated throughout a case's lifecycle. These may include:

• Docket sheets
• Case summaries
• Pleadings
• Motions
• Evidence filings
• Rulings
• Final judgments

At the trial level, records are generally more detailed, containing witness testimony, exhibits, and transcripts, while the records at the appellate level include written briefs, trial transcripts, and legal arguments.

Public vs. Restricted Records

Many circuit court records are publicly accessible under state open-records and sunshine rules. However, judicial branches vary in how they apply FOIA rules, and access procedures differ by state and court system.

Still, certain records, such as those involving juveniles, adoptions, or mental health, are sealed or confidential. Additionally, redaction rules often require the removal of personally identifiable information, such as Social Security numbers or medical information, before release.

How to Access Circuit Court Records

Records of the circuit courts in the United States can be accessed online and offline.

Online Access

Circuit court records can be accessed online through official government portals, such as the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) portal for federal appellate cases. PACER provides digital access to dockets, opinions, and filings across all U.S. Courts of Appeals.

State courts also provide online portals where public dockets, filings, and some documents can be searched by name or case number. For instance, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search allows users to look up case summaries and docket information, while Alabama's On-Demand Access to State Trial Court Records system also provides for circuit court records search.

Alternatively, databases like Court Case Finder also offer access to court records, including records of circuit courts. Using the CCF portal offers the advantage of assessing the records of several circuit courts in the United States via a single searchable database.

Offline Retrieval

You can request circuit court records in person at the clerk of court's office where the case was filed. The office of the clerk typically helps requesters locate files, provide copies, and issue certified documents.

Note that valid identification, completed request forms, and copy or certification fees are commonly required to access court records.

Furthermore, circuit courts in the United States often accept mail-in requests for records and certified copies. For such requests, include a signed request form, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Furthermore, you should expect typical processing times ranging from days to several weeks, depending on the court's workload and whether records are to be certified or located offsite.

FAQs About Circuit Courts

The following are frequently asked questions about circuit courts in the United States.