State vs. Federal Courts

The Federal Court System

State Courts

Establishment

Federal courts are decided by the Constitution to decide disputes involving the Constitution and laws passed by Congress.

State courts are established by the state.

JURISDICTION

Refers to the kinds of cases a court is authorized to hear.

The State has broad jurisdiction over:

• cases that involve individual citizens
• (ex: robberies, traffic violations, etc.)

The only cases state courts are not allowed to hear are lawsuits against the United States and those involving certain specific federal laws: criminal, antitrust, bankruptcy, patent, copyright, and some maritime cases.

Federal Court jurisdiction is limited by the Constitution.

FEDERAL COURTS ONLY HEAR

• cases in which the US is a party
• cases involving violations of the Constitution or federal law
• cases between citizens of different states (worth of $75,000+)
• bankruptcy, maritime, copyright, and patent law cases