The Circuit court or the system of court that organizes sessions in various parts of the region under its jurisdiction can be found in many legal systems. It is particularly popular in the United States. Established in 1782, the Circuit Courts in the US were the United States Federal Courts. They prevailed till 1912. The United States Court for the ninth circuit has a jurisdiction over thirteen districts in the US. They are the district of Alaska, district of Arizona, Central District of California, Eastern District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Washington and the Western District of Washington. The Ninth Circuit District Courts are federal courts and have appellate jurisdiction over all the districts mentioned. The Ninth Circuit is particularly effective in enforcing immigration laws and prisoner rights.
Ever since the Congress, in 1891, created the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the court has increased in size. The geography under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit District Courts is as diverse as the cultural and political aspects that it governs. It conducts legal issues in the more populous states like California as well as in the rural districts like Alaska, Montana and Idaho. Owing to the large size of its jurisdiction, there are a number of practical and procedural difficulties. According to recent statistics, the Ninth Circuit has the maximum percentage of active judges (59%). Democratic leaders appointed most of the active members of the Ninth circuit.
Ninth Circuit District Courts
The Alaska District Court was created in 1959. The Supreme Court can increase or decrease the number of District court judges in each region.
The bulky size of the 9thCircuit has a number of negative impacts. The main problem arising due to its oversize is the composition of an en banc court. The rule regarding the formation of an en banc court requires the judges actively take part in an argument. This is not quite feasible for a Ninth Circuit with twenty eight judges. For the convenience of administrative purposes, there has been a proposal to amend the ninth Circuit and split it into two circuits ? the Ninth Circuit and the Twelfth Circuit.
The Arizona District Court holds cases in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma and Prescott. It was built on June 20, 1910.
The California District Court is divided according to the four regions viz. Central District of California, Northern District of California, Eastern District of California and the Southern District of California.
Like other district courts, the Idaho District Court too looks after criminal and civil cases. It is separated into seven judicial districts. The district court also contains a magistrate court. The Idaho District Court hears felony criminal cases and civil cases where more than $10,000 is involved.
Among the thirteen districts under the Ninth Circuit District Courts, Montana District Court is categorized into 22 judiciaries for administrative purposes. There are 43 judges serving the district courts.
The Nevada District Court hears cases pertaining to divorces, lawsuits, criminal activities, bankruptcies and juvenile offences.
Oregon District Court is a circuit court of general jurisdiction. It deals with legal custody of children, land disputes, juvenile cases and adoption cases among others.
The Washington District Court covers 61 locations by the 49 district courts. It has a limited jurisdiction. However, there lies parallel jurisdiction with the Superior Court on gross misdemeanor violations and some civil cases where the claim is less than $50,000. The Eastern District of Washington and the Western District of Washington have Ninth Circuit District Courts.
