Why are there two courts in D.C.?

• A. To handle state-level disputes
• B. To deal with federal government issues.
• C. To run the Supreme Court
• D. To oversee international law

Answer: (B)

The federal judiciary is organized with a trial-level court and an appellate court in Washington, D.C., to handle federal matters. The District of Columbia’s federal trial court, the district court for the District of Columbia, hears civil and criminal cases involving federal law, disputes with the federal government, and matters arising in the capital. The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit then reviews the district court’s decisions and certain agency rulings to correct legal errors and ensure consistent application of federal law. This setup provides both a place for fact-finding and a mechanism for legal review at the federal level, which is why there are two courts in D.C. dedicated to federal government issues. It isn’t about state-level disputes, it doesn’t run the Supreme Court, and it doesn’t govern international law.