The United States has two separate court systems: state courts and federal courts. Most everyday legal issues (like divorce, state crimes, or basic landlord-tenant disputes) are handled in New Jersey state courts.

Federal courts handle specific types of cases. In New Jersey, the federal court system is made up of three levels:

• The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (where cases start)
• The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (for appeals)
• The U.S. Supreme Court (the highest court in the country)

The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Almost all federal lawsuits begin in the U.S. District Court. A case can be filed here if it meets one of two requirements:

• It involves a federal law or the U.S. Constitution
  Examples include lawsuits against federal agencies, federal civil rights violations, federal employment discrimination, or violations of federal consumer laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
• It involves people from different states
  This is called "diversity jurisdiction." The people suing each other must be citizens of different states, and the amount of money in dispute must be more than $75,000.

Note: There is also a specialized United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey that only handles bankruptcy cases. Here is their guide to Filing Without an Attorney.

Filing a Case Without a Lawyer (Pro Se)

Navigating federal court without a lawyer is very difficult, and you will be expected to follow the same strict rules as an attorney. However, if you must file on your own, the court provides resources to help.

• Filing Fees: It costs money to file a lawsuit in federal court. If you cannot afford the fee, you can file an application to ask the judge to waive the costs (often called proceeding In Forma Pauperis).
• More Information: Visit the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey website to find their guide on Filing Without an Attorney.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Nationally, the federal courts are divided into regions called "circuits." New Jersey is in the Third Circuit, along with Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands. If you lose your case in the District Court and believe the judge made a legal error, you can file an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, located in Philadelphia. Here is their guide to “Pro Se Information & 28 USC 2244.”

The U.S. Supreme Court

If you lose your appeal at the Third Circuit, you can ask the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., to review your case by filing a "Petition for a Writ of Certiorari." The Supreme Court only accepts a very small number of the cases it is asked to review each year.

This information last reviewed: Mar 13, 2026