What is the order of the federal court system starting from the lowest level?

The correct sequence of the federal court system, starting from the lowest level, features the U.S. Magistrate Court at the base, followed by the U.S. District Court, then the U.S. Court of Appeals, and finally, the U.S. Supreme Court at the highest level.

U.S. Magistrate Courts serve as a lower-level judicial body where preliminary hearings and minor cases are often handled. Above them, U.S. District Courts are the general trial courts of the federal system, where most federal cases begin. If a party wishes to appeal a decision from a District Court, the next step in the hierarchy is the U.S. Court of Appeals. This court reviews cases from the District Courts, focusing on whether legal errors were made during the trial. Finally, the U.S. Supreme Court sits at the top of the federal court system, serving as the ultimate arbiter of federal law and the Constitution.

Understanding this hierarchy is crucial for those working in or studying the justice system, including correctional officers who may interact with various tiers of the judicial process in performing their duties.