Silica Defined. Silica is another name for the chemical compound silicon dioxide. Each unit of silica includes one atom of silicon and two atoms of oxygen. If you have never heard of silica before, you might be surprised to hear that you probably come into contact with it every day.
The Fifth Circuit, for example, includes the states of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Cases from the district courts of those states are appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Cases appealed from district courts go to the appeals, or circuit courts. The 94 judicial districts are organized into 12 regional circuits, each of which has a US Court of Appeals. In addition, there is the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit with nationwide jurisdiction to hear appeals in specialized cases.