Using updated research from their broad study of the U.S. judicial system, Judicial Process in America, Carp and Stidham narrow their focus to the federal judiciary in a fourth edition of The Federal Courts. In this comprehensive examination of the federal system, Carp and Stidham:
explain the organizational structure of the federal courts,
outline the jurisdiction of the three levels of U.S. courts,
examine the backgrounds and values of the men and women who wear the black robe,
consider the decision making process characteristic of all judges, and then the special case of collegial, appellate courts or the policy impact of federal court decisions and the implementation process, and
discuss factors that determine whether judges will engage in policymaking and predict the substantive direction of policy decisions.