What powers do US District Courts possess?

US District Courts possess original jurisdiction, which means they are the first level of federal courts that hear both criminal and civil cases. This authority allows them to conduct trials, evaluate evidence, and make rulings on a wide range of legal matters. Original jurisdiction is crucial because it enables these courts to address issues as they arise, rather than waiting for a case to be processed through other legal channels. In criminal cases, this might involve the prosecution of federal offenses, while in civil cases, it can include disputes under federal law or cases involving parties from different states with amounts exceeding a certain threshold.

This characteristic distinguishes US District Courts from other types of courts, such as appellate courts, which do not have the ability to hear cases for the first time but rather review decisions made by lower courts. The other options do not accurately reflect the scope and function of District Courts: they do not have the power to create laws as that function lies within Congress, nor do they solely handle appeals or oversee Congress, as both of these roles fall to different branches and levels of the legal system.