> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://studies-de-jure.gitbook.io/learn/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://studies-de-jure.gitbook.io/learn/sourcebooks/business-law-i/united-states-court-system.md).

# The United States Court System

<figure><img src="/files/hQtxTJGB2PyphDmSUzw4" alt="Picture of the front facade of the United States Supreme Court building in Washington D.C." width="563"><figcaption><p>"Inside the United States Supreme Court" by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/88876166@N00">Phil Roeder</a> is licensed CC BY 2.0)</p></figcaption></figure>

***

{% hint style="info" %}
**LEARNING OBJECTIVES 🎯**

1. Identify the three federal branches of government and their roles.
2. Explain how law and government interact to make, enforce, and interpret law.
3. Define federalism and distinguish delegated federal powers from reserved state powers.
4. Explain the concept of jurisdiction and how subject matter jurisdiction applies to state and federal legal issues.
5. Distinguish trial courts from appellate courts, including records on appeal and limits on review.
   {% endhint %}

***

## Contents

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/IOxyrNznVCFbXO0Y3ZGi" %}
[Introduction](/learn/sourcebooks/business-law-i/united-states-court-system/introduction.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/AvrkYQ2oN5uJXouh41cx" %}
[Separation of Powers](/learn/sourcebooks/business-law-i/united-states-court-system/separation-of-powers.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/7D5mnqDT7BsoStQuTt3y" %}
[Federalism](/learn/sourcebooks/business-law-i/united-states-court-system/federalism.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/cL4ZCXBJEiHsWT9h883R" %}
[Trial and Appellate Courts](/learn/sourcebooks/business-law-i/united-states-court-system/trial-and-appellate-courts.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://studies-de-jure.gitbook.io/learn/sourcebooks/business-law-i/united-states-court-system.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
