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Questions tagged [federal-courts]

Questions about the federal judiciary of the United States (as opposed to state court systems).

The federal judiciary's main website: https://www.uscourts.gov/

The popular casebook - Hart and Wechsler's The Federal Courts and the Federal System: https://faculty.westacademic.com/Book/Detail/342322

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A man killed my son and married one of the witnesses. Can the witness's statements still be used in court against him?

In Florida a career felon, who is a complete stranger to my son, killed my son. He is being prosecuted for this crime in a state court in Florida. There are two witnesses. One of them is the the girlfriend of the criminal defendant, who saw what…
Alice Shew
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Why the obscure but specific description of Jane Doe II in the original complaint for Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity?

In Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity (2023), filed in the Wyoming District of U.S. court, the plaintiffs are seven women, members of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at University of Wyoming, suing the national organization (based in Ohio) for…
Mark Dominus
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Why is Harvard allowed to ask for a specific judge in its case against the Trump administration?

From CNN's May 4, 2025 Harvard is taking the Trump administration to court. The judge overseeing the case is no stranger to either side: Harvard has asked for an expedited final decision rather than an immediate order to restore the money, leaving…
uhoh
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Can I, as a US citizen, sue the federal government to avoid being deported to El Salvador?

As a US citizen not charged with or convicted of any federal crime, it would be completely illegal for the US government to arrest me, deport me, and hand me over to the government of El Salvador to be indefinitely imprisoned there. But, such things…
interfect
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Government's standing in criminal trials

There's an answer on politics SE that has some upvotes (but more downvotes) claiming (even more adamantly in subsequent comments) that standing is issue of substantial importance in criminal trials; some quotes from the claims: There is no…
Looking for loopholes
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What process must be followed to revoke a US permanent residency "green card"?

It was recently in the news that the executive branch is arresting permanent residents it does not like, on the theory that their green cards are being or somehow have already been revoked. There are some reasons for which a green card can be…
interfect
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Why are there two case numbers for United States v. Trump?

There are two almost identical case numbers assigned for the case United States v. Trump. The dockets are almost identical. 1:23-cr-00257-TSC USA v. TRUMP PACER CourtListener 1:23-cr-00257-TSC-1 - TRUMP, DONALD J. PACER CourtListener What is the…
Daniel McDonald
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Can lawyers ask about, and discriminate based on, iPhone ownership during a case involving Apple?

In the lawsuit(s) between Epic and Apple, assuming it ends up in front of a (federal) jury, are the lawyers for each side allowed to ask potential jurors whether they have iPhones or Android phones; and, on the other side, are they allowed to ask…
Joe
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How can a court pause a law?

It often happens in the United States that a federal court decides to pause a law before it can go into effect. Of course, courts can do this, but how does this actually work? What "thing" does the court do to pause a law?
idk
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How many separate judicial systems are there in the United States?

At minute 17:30 of this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJOpSkyBl2Y the lecturer claims there are 51 separate court systems. But I count at least 52: 50 states, the federal system, and Washington DC. Does DC count as a separate judicial…
LMR
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Do Federal courts have the authority to dismiss charges brought in a Georgia Court?

News Headlines indicate: Mark Meadows asks federal court for Georgia charges to be dismissed Under what statute do Federal courts have the authority to intervene in a state (Georgia) trial? Any examples of precedent are appreciated. BTW IANAL and…
gatorback
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Why is the federal judiciary of the United States divided into circuits?

There are many questions (and answers) on this site pertaining to circuit splits. It is also my understanding that rulings/interpretations made by courts are binding on all lower courts within their circuit until repealed by a higher court. My…
ScottishTapWater
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Can prosecutors change or add additional charges once you plead guilty?

Suppose you are charged with theft of trade secrets. If you decide to plead guilty, can the government add further charges or change the existing ones after seeing that you've pleaded guilty? For example, because you've pleaded guilty, can the…
user14142
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What happens if Federal Courts contradict each other?

Regarding the recent travel ban, federal judges in Hawaii and Maryland both ruled against the ban. What would have happened if one of those judges ruled against the ban and the other did not?
lastPingStanding
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When all available appeals are exhausted, could a court force the US Department of Justice to try a case it no longer wants to?

From ABC News' May 30, 2025 US moves to dismiss Boeing prosecution, asks judge to cancel trial over crashes: The U.S. Justice Department has formally moved to dismiss a criminal fraud charge against Boeing and has asked a judge to cancel an…
uhoh
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