New 2/5/06 Updated 7/6/10

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals Updated 7/1/99

  • The 94 U.S. judicial districts are organized into 12 regional circuits, each of which has a United States court of appeals.

U.S. District Courts

  • The United States district courts are the trial courts of the federal court system. Within limits set by Congress and the Constitution, the district courts have jurisdiction to hear nearly all categories of federal cases, including both civil and criminal matters.
  • The United States district courts are the trial courts of the federal court system. Within limits set by Congress and the Constitution, the district courts have jurisdiction to hear nearly all categories of federal cases, including both civil and criminal matters. Every day hundreds of people across the nation are selected for jury duty and help decide some of these cases.
  • There are 94 federal judicial districts, including at least one district in each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Three territories of the United States have district courts that hear federal cases, including bankruptcy cases: the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
  • Map of Districts
  • List of Missouri District and Bankruptcy Courts, and Probation offices
  • Missouri Eastern District Court (St. Louis)
  • Missouri Western District Court (Jefferson City)
  • Missouri Western District Court (Kansas City)
  • Missouri Western District Court (Springfield)

U.S. Bankruptcy Court

  • Each of the 94 federal judicial districts handles bankruptcy matters, and in almost all districts, bankruptcy cases are filed in the bankruptcy court. Bankruptcy cases cannot be filed in state court.
  • Missouri Eastern Bankruptcy Court (St. Louis)
  • Missouri Western Bankruptcy Court (Kansas City)
  • Missouri Western Bankruptcy Court (Springfield)
  • Chapter 7, The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing for “liquidation,” ( i.e., the sale of a debtor’s nonexempt property and the distribution of the proceeds to creditors.) Updated 7/1/99
  • Chapter 11, The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing (generally) for reorganization, usually involving a corporation or partnership. (A chapter 11 debtor usually proposes a plan of reorganization to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time. People in business or individuals can also seek relief in chapter 11.) Updated 7/1/99
  • Chapter 13, The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing for adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income. (Chapter 13 allows a debtor to keep property and pay debts over time, usually three to five years.) Updated 3/7/11
  • Bankruptcy Appellate Panels (BAP) are 3-judge panels authorized to hear appeals of bankruptcy court decisions. These panels are a unit of the federal courts of appeals. Appeals from dispositive orders of bankruptcy judges may be taken to the district court or the BAP (if one has been established and the district has chosen to participate), with further appeal as of right to the court of appeals for the circuit.
  • 8th Circuit BAP information

United States Tax Court Updated 7/1/99

  • decisions appear on day of release;
  • FAQ; address; hours; fees