Certified Fraud Examiner Practice 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest tier of federal courts because it serves as the ultimate appellate court in the United States judicial system. It primarily reviews decisions made by lower federal courts and, in some cases, state courts, particularly when there are questions about the interpretation of federal law or the Constitution. The Supreme Court's rulings set binding precedents that all lower courts must follow, thereby shaping the law across the country. This distinctive authority to interpret laws and the Constitution establishes its position as the highest court, making it essential in resolving legal disputes and controversies at the federal level.

In contrast, U.S. District Courts serve as the trial courts of the federal system, dealing with a wide range of cases but not holding the authority to review court decisions. U.S. Courts of Appeal function as intermediate appellate courts, reviewing appeals from U.S. District Courts but still operating beneath the Supreme Court. State Supreme Courts, while they represent the highest level of state judicial systems, do not have jurisdiction over federal matters and thus do not compete in authority with the U.S. Supreme Court within the federal framework.