Which of the following best describes the federal judicial system?

The federal judicial system is best described as including a system of courts established by Congress. This reflects the framework outlined in Article III of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the authority to create inferior courts beneath the Supreme Court. As a result, the federal judiciary consists of various levels of courts, including District Courts, Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court itself, all of which work together to interpret federal law and adjudicate legal disputes.

Congress has the power to structure these courts and set their jurisdictions, which is why a comprehensive system is established under federal law, ensuring that there is a unified mechanism for justice that operates across the entire nation. This contrasts significantly with the idea that the federal judicial system consists solely of the Supreme Court, as that would ignore the important roles of the lower federal courts. Additionally, the notion that the system could be determined solely by state legislatures misrepresents the relationship between state and federal authority, indicating a misunderstanding of the federal system’s structure. Lastly, suggesting that the federal judicial system functions independently of the Constitution is inaccurate, as the Constitution not only establishes its authority but also defines its limits and powers within the framework of the federal system.