Which statement is true regarding the jurisdiction of United States district courts?

The correct answer is that United States district courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. This means they can only hear cases that fall within the specific types of jurisdiction granted to them under federal law, such as cases involving federal questions or diversity of citizenship when the amount in controversy exceeds a certain threshold. District courts do not have the authority to hear every type of case; their jurisdiction is defined by statutes and the Constitution.

The other statements do not accurately represent the nature of district courts. For example, stating that they are courts of general jurisdiction would imply that they can hear any type of case, similar to some state courts, which is not the case for federal district courts. Additionally, while district courts handle a variety of cases, including appeals from certain administrative decisions, they are not primarily appellate courts; that role is fulfilled by the Courts of Appeals. Furthermore, district courts address both civil and criminal matters, meaning the statement that they only deal with criminal cases overlooks the significant civil litigation they also handle.