Why is there a line leading from the Circuit Courts to the Supreme Court? A. The line indicates the path taken by a typical appeal from the circuit courts.
B. The line clarifies which cases from the circuit courts are heard by the court of appeals.
C. The line indicates that some cases can be appealed from the district courts to the circuit courts.
D. The line indicates that some cases, such as the death penalty cases, can be appealed directly to the Supreme Court.

C. The line indicates that some cases can be appealed from the district courts to the circuit courts.

Explanation:

1789-1801, 1802-1869

Circuit courts organized by judicial district (e.g. U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Massachusetts) and assigned to judicial circuits No circuit judges; circuit courts held by justices of the Supreme Court of the United States and judges of the U.S. district courts, or, from 1802 on, either of them alone

1801-1802

Circuit courts organized by judicial circuit (e.g. U.S. Circuit Court for the First Circuit)

Three circuit judgeships for each of the First through Fifth Circuits; Sixth Circuit held by one circuit judge and district judges of Tennessee and Kentucky

1869-1911

Circuit courts organized by judicial district and assigned to judicial circuits Circuit judgeships established for each circuit; circuit courts held by justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, circuit judges, district judges, or combinations thereof.

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