 The eleven numbered circuit courts of appeals and the District of Columbia Circuit have appellate jurisdiction over cases in almost every area of the law arising within the boundaries of that circuit . However , the subjects that appear more frequently in each circuit vary according to the kinds of cases that arise more often within the circuit 's boundaries . The District of Columbia Circuit , for example , hears a large number of administrative law cases . Likewise , the Second Circuit hears nearly one third of all federal securities law appeals , and the Fifth Circuit hears approximately one half of all federal immigration appeals . Eric Hansford argues that this has led to " specialized " courts with particular expertise with the subjects that appear before the court more frequently . Studies also suggest that the Supreme Court is more likely to affirm decisions of circuit courts when the circuit court has ruled on a case for which they possess special expertise . 
