11.10 State vs. Federal Court Jurisdiction

State courts and federal courts handle different types of cases based on the nature of the legal issues and the parties involved. State courts generally have broad jurisdiction, meaning they can hear a wide variety of cases. These include most criminal cases, family law matters such as divorce and child custody, probate and inheritance issues, real estate disputes, personal injury claims, and contract disagreements. Essentially, any case that involves state laws or regulations typically falls under the jurisdiction of state courts. For example, a burglary or a breach of contract lawsuit would be handled by a state court.

Federal courts, on the other hand, have limited jurisdiction, meaning they can only hear cases authorized by the United States Constitution or federal statutes. These courts handle cases involving federal laws, constitutional issues, disputes between states, cases involving the United States government, and controversies between citizens of different states when the amount in dispute exceeds $75,000. Federal courts also hear cases involving bankruptcy, patents, copyrights, and maritime law. For example, a case involving a violation of federal civil rights laws or a multi-state class action lawsuit would be heard in federal court. By distinguishing the types of cases each court system handles, the judicial system ensures that legal matters are addressed in the appropriate venue.