Courts of the United States each having territorial jurisdiction over a district which may include a whole state or only part of it. Each of these courts is presided over by one judge who must reside within the district. These courts have original jurisdiction over all admiralty and maritime causes and all proceedings in bankruptcyand over all penal and criminal matters cognizable under the laws of the United States exclusive jurisdiction over which is not vested either in the supreme or circuit courts.Also inferior courts of record in California, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio and Texas are also called “district courts.” Their jurisdiction is for the most part similar to that of county courts (g. v.)