What percentage of cases do district courts handle?

District courts handle a significant majority of all cases filed in the federal court system. They serve as the trial courts where most federal litigation begins, processing a vast array of civil and criminal cases. The estimate that district courts handle around 90% of all cases highlights their essential role in the judicial system.

This extensive jurisdiction encompasses a variety of matters, including federal statutory and constitutional issues, disputes involving federal agencies, and numerous other legal questions. As a result, they are the primary venue for trial-level litigation, making the figure of 90% a reflection of their overwhelming dominance in the case volume within the federal judiciary.

The other figures do not sufficiently capture this role: 50% would imply a 50/50 split with higher courts, which is not the case; 70% underestimates their workload; and 100% would incorrectly suggest that only district courts are involved in federal judicial proceedings, overlooking appellate courts' significant role in reviewing cases decided at the district level.