Chapter 11 – The Judicial Branch
11.10 State vs. Federal Court Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction means the authority a court has to hear and decide a case. A court’s jurisdiction depends on the type of case and where it happens. For example, a local court might handle a speeding ticket, while only the Supreme Court of Ohio can decide certain constitutional questions about Ohio law.
Ohio’s state courts handle most legal matters. These include criminal cases like theft or assault, civil disputes such as contract disagreements or property issues, and family matters like divorce or child custody. State courts also hear cases involving the Ohio Constitution and state laws.
The federal courts deal with cases that involve the U.S. Constitution, federal laws passed by Congress, disputes between people from different states when large sums of money are involved, and cases where the United States government is a party. Federal courts also hear cases involving treaties, international issues, or disputes that cross state lines.
State vs. Federal Courts
| State Courts (Ohio) | Federal Courts |
| Handle most legal matters in daily life | Handle cases involving U.S. laws and the Constitution |
| Criminal cases such as theft, assault, or murder | Cases involving the U.S. Constitution or federal laws passed by Congress |
| Civil disputes such as contracts, property, or personal injury | Disputes between people from different states involving large sums of money |
| Family law issues such as divorce, adoption, or child custody | Cases where the U.S. government is a party |
| Cases based on the Ohio Constitution or state laws | Cases involving treaties, international issues, or disputes crossing state lines |
In short, state courts focus on Ohio laws and most day-to-day legal matters, while federal courts handle issues that involve national laws or the U.S. Constitution. Some cases can be heard in both systems, but jurisdiction determines which court has the legal authority to decide.
