Also known as: United States courts · U.S. court · U.S. courts · US court · US courts · federal court
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A judicial tribunal established by the federal government under Article III of the Constitution or by federal statute to exercise jurisdiction over cases arising under federal law.
Ugo Uberti faced charges in a United States district court after officers seized documents without a warrant. The court applied the exclusionary rule and barred the evidence because the seizure violated the Fourth Amendment. The prosecution could not use the documents to prove its case.
Uma Underwood sued Ultimate Solutions in a United States district court for breach of contract. Ultimate Solutions asserted a privilege over internal emails. The court looked to common law as interpreted by United States courts to decide whether the privilege applied.
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Uriah Urban was called to testify against his wife in a criminal case pending in a United States district court. He declined to testify about events during their marriage. The court recognized his right to refuse under the federal spousal privilege rule.
Urban Utley obtained a jury verdict against Uptown Apparel in a United States district court. Uptown Apparel moved for a new trial on grounds permitted in actions at law. The court considered the motion under the federal rule governing post-trial relief.
Uri Underwood offered witness testimony in a contract dispute filed in a United States district court. The opposing party objected that the testimony violated a state evidentiary rule. The court applied the Federal Rules of Evidence because the proceeding occurred in a United States court.
Una Unger lost a nonjury trial in a United States district court on an equitable claim. She moved for a new trial or rehearing. The court evaluated the motion under the federal rule that authorizes rehearings in suits in equity.
United States district courts, United States courts of appeals, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and certain territorial district courts all qualify. The rules expressly list these tribunals as the forums in which the Federal Rules of Evidence apply.
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No. The term refers only to federal tribunals created under federal authority. State courts remain separate even when they apply federal law or when federal constitutional rules constrain their procedures.
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The exclusionary rule binds both systems, but its application in state criminal proceedings occurs through the Fourteenth Amendment rather than directly under the Fourth Amendment. United States courts enforce the rule as an inherent part of federal constitutional protections.
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…statute, from the court's grant of declaratory relief to Roe and Hallford. Both sides also have taken protective appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. That court ordered the appeals held in abeyance pending decision here. We postponed decision on jurisdiction to the hearing on the merits. 402 U. S. 941…