Courts of the United States , each having territorial jurisdiction over a district, which may include a whole state or only part of it. Each of these courts is presided over by one judge, who must reside within the district. These courts have original jurisdiction over all admiralty and maritime causes and all proceedings in bankruptcy ,and over all penal and criminal matters cognizable under the laws of the United States ,exclusive, jurisdiction over which is not vested either in the supreme or circuit courts .Also inferior courts of record in California, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana,Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas are also called ” district courts .” Theirjurisdiction is for the most part similar to that of county courts, (g. v.)
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
