The Basic Differences Between State & Federal Court Cases
In some respects, the state and federal court systems are constructed in a similar manner, with lower courts, courts of appeals, and finally a supreme court in place as a final arbiter on disputes. One area in which they differ is in the type of court cases heard before them. Described by the United States Constitution as the superior court system, it should be no surprise that federal courts usually adjudicate questions of constitutional law and disputes that arise between states.
Other People Are Reading
-
Torts and Crimes
-
The first level of court in the state system is the trial court. Normally each county has one. The trial court hears cases related to damages where one party seeks monetary reimbursement from another, called personal injury or tort cases. This is also the court where family law such as divorces, adoptions and marriages are handled, as well as contract disputes. The trial court functions as a probate court and dispenses with issues arising around wills and other matters of estates. Criminal cases heard in a state trial court would include murder, rape, robbery, assault, possession of controlled substance, and most misdemeanors.
State Constitution
-
The federal Supreme Court has a mirror image on the state level. The state supreme court acts as a court of appeals from trial courts around the state and also passes judgment on matters of state law and state constitution. Another duty of the state supreme court is to interpret federal law and the United States Constitution on cases that arise within state borders. Theoretically, the losing side can appeal a state court's decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, on constitutional grounds, but the highest court in the land is within its power to refuse review and let the state court decision stand.
-
Federal Cases
-
The federal court system is described in the Constitution and charged with handling certain types of cases. In general, federal courts hear disputes that arise between jurisdictions that are larger than that of a single state. For example, a dispute between two states would be remanded to federal court. This court also resolves issues of maritime law and handles bankruptcy proceedings and violations of the United States Constitution or federal law. On the criminal side, federal courts have jurisdiction in cases involving bank robbery, mail fraud, bribery, large quantities of narcotics, crimes on federal lands, and instances where a crime is committed in one state but the suspect is apprehended in another.
Final Tips
-
Ultimately, the federal court system holds the superior position over all state court systems. It can overturn state supreme court rulings and throw out or modify their decisions. The buck stops completely with the U.S. Supreme Court. As the highest court in the federal system, it has the final word on issues appearing before it.
-
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
