District courts in Sterling Heights are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity and admiralty. The district courts exercise original jurisdiction over- that is, they are empowered to conduct trials in the following types of cases: civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws and treaties of the United States; certain civil actions between citizens of different states; civil actions within the admiralty or maritime jurisdiction of the United States; criminal prosecutions brought by the United States; civil actions in which the United States is a party, and many other types of cases and controversies.