Civil Service Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States, established under Article III of the U.S. Constitution. It has ultimate jurisdiction over all federal and state court cases that involve a point of constitutional or federal law. This authority allows the Supreme Court to review decisions made by lower courts and resolve important legal issues that affect the interpretation of the Constitution.

One of its key roles is to serve as the final arbiter of legal disputes, which solidifies its position at the top of the judicial hierarchy. The Supreme Court's decisions set precedents that guide the entire American legal system, ensuring uniformity and coherence in the application of law across the country.

In contrast, the Court of Appeals is an intermediate appellate court that hears cases appealed from the district courts, but it does not have the final say. The District Court serves as the trial courts in the federal system where cases are first heard, but again, these courts do not hold the highest jurisdiction. The International Court is not a U.S. court; rather, it is an international tribunal that deals with disputes between states and issues related to international law, making it unrelated to the American judicial hierarchy.