Also known as: judicial districts
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A geographic subdivision of a state for purposes of the federal judicial system. The division determines where a defendant resides for venue purposes and where a civil action may be brought under the general venue statute.
Jorge Juarez sued Jenkins Apparel in the Northern District of State E after a contract dispute. Jenkins Apparel is incorporated in State E and maintains its principal offices and multiple stores in the Northern District. Because the sole defendant resides in the Northern District and all defendants reside in State E, venue is proper there.
Jordan Jenkins mailed a waiver request to Jamal Jefferson who lived in a foreign country. Jefferson received the request but failed to return it. Because the request was sent outside any judicial district of the United States, Jefferson had ninety days to respond before default proceedings could begin.
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Federal agents obtained a summons against Jefferson Trust for a criminal violation. The organization maintained its headquarters abroad. The summons could be served at the foreign location because the rule permits service outside any judicial district of the United States when authorized by statute.
Jacob Jennings sued Jaffe Securities after a securities transaction collapsed. No district satisfied the residence or events tests because the company had no U.S. presence. The court permitted suit in the district where Jaffe Securities was subject to personal jurisdiction under the fallback provision.
Jerome Jackson filed suit against Jordan Dynamics in the Western District of State A. Jordan Dynamics is incorporated in State A and operates a data center in the Western District. The company is deemed to reside in the Western District because its contacts there support personal jurisdiction over the claim.
Jacqueline Juarez challenged an agency decision denying benefits. She resided in the Eastern District of her state at the time of filing. The statute directed her to commence the action in the judicial district where she resided or maintained her principal place of business.
A corporation resides in any judicial district where its contacts would support personal jurisdiction if that district were treated as a separate state. When contacts are sufficient in more than one district, venue is proper in each of them provided all defendants reside in the same state.
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The fallback provision allows venue in any judicial district where any defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction. This rule applies only after the court determines that neither the residence nor the events provisions can be satisfied.
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A natural person resides only in the judicial district of domicile. Temporary presence without intent to remain indefinitely does not establish residence for venue purposes even if the person performs work in the district.
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…Northern Pacific Railway Company, Defendant, heretofore instituted by him in the District Court of the County of Ramsey, Second Judicial District, State of Minnesota. Ordered further, that for his said contempt said Edward T. Young be fined the sum of one hundred dollars and stand committed in the custody of the Marshal of this…