U.S. Court System

• The United States court system is complex. The federal court system concerns itself with federal laws, including those pertaining to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Additional federal laws are legislated by the federal government. Each state also has its own court system and constitution. Generally, a state court system is not subordinate to a federal court so long as the case is a matter of state law, not federal law. All of these courts are judicial courts.
  
  

District Court

• A U.S. District Court is federal, "trial-level" court. In other words, it is a nonappellate judicial court which hears federal cases. U.S. District Courts are distinct from other kinds of courts such as appellate courts, supreme courts, small claims courts. Some states also have state district courts, which are trial-level courts for matters of state law. Both state and federal district courts are judicial courts.
  
  

Special Courts

• There are many types of "special courts." A special court is any court that is limited in its jurisdiction. Technically, small claims court is a special court, because the scope of its jurisdiction is limited. Appellate courts are also special courts, limited to hearing primarily procedural appeals.
  
  

Judicial Courts

• In practice, the term "judicial court" is synonymous with the formal use of the word "court." In common usage, the term excludes unofficial courts or impromptu tribunals. It is an arcane term, but it does appear in official titles of some state courts. It is a category that includes district courts. The real distinction made with the term "judicial court" is that it is formed under the judicial branch of government. Judicial courts are specifically distinct from an "executive court," which is typically a court of administrative law formed under the executive branch of federal government. An executive court is an official court but it does not have general jurisdiction and is not a judicial court.