United States District Court, Northern District of Texas

Upon annexation in 1845, Texas constituted one federal judicial district, with John C. Watrous as the first U.S. District Judge in Texas. Prior to the Civil War, federal courts primarily dealt with cases involving citizens from two different states or foreign nations. Following Reconstruction, courts in the South were given the authority to decide “federal question,” or cases hinging on a determination of federal law. In 1857, Texas was split into two judicial districts. By 1902, Texas had been split into four districts. The Northern District was established in 1879, with Andrew P. McCormick as its judge. The Northern District is made up of population centers such as Dallas, Fort Worth, Abilene, San Angelo, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, and Lubbock.

Source: Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. "Federal Judiciary," http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/FF/jpf1.html (accessed May 12, 2010).

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