Federal Court Basics
The judges and staff of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida welcome you to learning about the judiciary. We hope that you will come for a visit at your nearest federal courthouse. The doors of federal courts are open to the public almost anytime that you want to see what happens in a courtroom. Start here to prepare for a courthouse visit, write a school paper, or get answers to your questions about the federal court system and how it works.
The Faces of the Federal Judiciary
Get acquainted with some of the men and women who are federal judges and learn from them about the foundations of the Third Branch of government.
- Video: Federal Judges' Oath (~ 59 seconds)
- Video Series: Pathways to the Bench - Judges' First Person Profiles (~ 4 minutes each)
- Video Series: Court Shorts - Judges Answer Questions About Key Concepts (~ 5 minutes each)
Federal Courts in a Nutshell
Start here to gain a general understanding of the federal courts. To interact with these concepts, find activities and resources that bring them into everyday life at uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources.
Practical, Need-to-Know Fundamentals
- Infographics: Use these Handouts to Visualize the Federal Courts' Structure and Function
- About Federal Courts
- Comparing Federal and State Courts
- Court Role and Structure
- Map of Federal Circuit and District Courts (pdf)
- Federal Courts and the Public
- Federal Courts and What They Do
After a U.S. District Court Decides
Multimedia Tools
Find videos, slide shows, and infographics that add another dimension to understanding the federal courts.
- Video Series: Court Shorts, Judges Explain Federal Court Basics
- Videos Series: U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez and Other Judges Share Their Pathways to the Bench
- Slide Show: Naturalization Ceremonies Across the Nation are Living Civics Lessons
- Infographics are a Roadmap of Federal and State Courts: Federal Court Basics, Illustrated
Federal Courts and Their Communities: Annual Observances
Celebrate the Constitution every month with evergreen activities and discussion-starting topics.
- Law Day: Courthouse Tour Activities and Resources
- Constitution Day and Citizenship Day: National, Court-Wide Initiative
- Bill of Rights Day: Video and Other Resources
- Heritage Months: Videos and Resources for Each
- Open Doors to Federal Courts: National Program - Activities and Resources
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
The Southern District of Florida is one of 94 regional district courts across the nation. There are three districts in Florida. Judges who serve Florida's Southern District hear cases in Key West, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Fort Pierce.
Federal Courts: Guardians of the Constitution
The resources and activities here bring Constitutional concepts into sharp focus so that they can be applied to relatable, real-life scenarios.
The U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights
- National Constitution Center's Interactive Constitution
- Video: Students Sound Off on the Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights in Everyday Life: The First and Fourth Amendments
For Courtrooms and Classrooms
These courtroom-ready and classroom-ready materials require no more than 30 minutes of preparation on the part of the judge and volunteer lawyers. No additional research or reading is necessary. No preparation is necessary for participating teachers or students.
Federal Courts in Contemporary Life
Activities revolve around realistic situations that bring the Constitution into everyday life.
Federal Courts in History
This content was produced by the Federal Judicial Center to shed light on federal court history.
- Teaching Federal Judicial History
- Teaching Famous Federal Trials
- FAQs about Federal Judges
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Video: Moments in History: Remembering Thurgood Marshall
Produced by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
Resources from Other Sources
Find interactive resources that are appropriate for everyone from high school students to lifelong learners. Offerings on the Civics Renewal Network are produced by top civics education organizations.
- Civics Renewal Network: Resources Produced by Top Civics Education Organizations
- Federal Bar Association: Activities, Resources, and Infographics
- Federal Judges Association: Civics Education Resources
- National Constitution Center's Interactive Constitution
Online activities and games for students of all ages on iCivics.org