1. State Court System
1.1. Intermediate system of appellate courts that operate with appellate jurisdiction
1.2. At least one State Supreme Court per state (highest court in the state's judicial system)
1.2.1. A select group of cases may proceed to federal courts.
2. Federal Court System
2.1. Federal Supreme Court
2.1.1. Upon a union appeal the Supreme Court may
2.1.1.1. refuse to hear the case which is the most common outcome
2.1.1.2. decide to hear the case relying on the **"rule of four,"** which is when four or more justices must agree to hear a specific case
2.1.1.2.1. These specific cases include:
2.1.1.2.2. If accepted:
2.2. Federal Appellate Courts
2.2.1. Cases can be:
2.2.1.1. Affirmed: confirming district court decision
2.2.1.2. Reversed: overturning district court decision
2.2.1.2.1. Losing side may appeal to SCOTUS
2.2.1.3. Remanded: sent back to lower court
2.2.1.4. Some combination
2.2.2. Focus is on how the decision of the district court was rendered and if that decision was appropriate in the context of the law
2.3. Federal District Courts
2.3.1. Most cases end here either by a steelement or by the losing partys decision not to appeal