How many United States Courts of Appeal are there, and how are they organized?

• A. 11 circuits, grouped geographically
• B. 13 circuits, divided by regional circuits
• C. 15 circuits, organized by population
• D. 12 circuits, arranged alphabetically

Answer: (B)

Appellate review in the federal system is handled by the United States Courts of Appeal, which sit between district courts and the Supreme Court. There are 13 of these courts. Most are organized regionally into geographic circuits that cover groups of states (First through Eleventh, plus the District of Columbia Circuit). In addition, the Federal Circuit stands apart with nationwide jurisdiction over certain kinds of cases, such as patents and other specific subject matters. Appeals from a district court within a circuit go to that circuit’s court of appeals, and those decisions can eventually be reviewed by the Supreme Court. This regional structure is why the description of 13 circuits divided regionally is the best-fit overall.