Which court typically has the authority to conduct trials?

The district court is typically the court that has the authority to conduct trials. This is because district courts, at both federal and state levels, are considered the trial courts in the judicial system. They are the first level of court that hears cases, whether civil or criminal, and have the jurisdiction to evaluate evidence, hear witness testimonies, and render verdicts based on the facts presented.

In contrast, appellate courts do not conduct trials; instead, they review decisions made by lower courts to ensure the law was applied correctly. Federal courts encompass various types of courts but specifically refer to the system of courts that deal with federal laws, which includes district courts. The Supreme Court, while the highest court in the land, primarily functions as an appellate court, reviewing cases that involve significant legal questions or constitutional issues, rather than conducting trials themselves. Thus, the district court's role as the trial court is why it is the correct answer in this context.