{"id":369029,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/legal-system\/federal-vs-state-courts-key-differences.html"},"modified":"2024-05-04T23:24:00","modified_gmt":"2024-05-05T04:24:00","slug":"federal-vs-state-courts-key-differences","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/federal-vs-state-courts-key-differences.html","title":{"rendered":"Federal vs. State Courts: Key Differences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Federal vs. State Courts: Key Differences<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The United States has two court systems, state and federal. This article discusses some important differences between the state and federal court systems.<\/p>\r\n

Establishment of State and Federal Courts<\/h2>\r\n

The U.S. Constitution<\/a> established the Supreme Court<\/a>, the only court specifically mentioned in that document. The Constitution gives Congress the authority to create lower courts as necessary. As different states came into being, they wrote their own constitutions and granted themselves the power to establish state<\/a> and municipal courts<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

The state system mirrors the federal system<\/a>. Both court systems have trial courts<\/a>, usually known as circuit courts or district courts. Both systems have appellate courts.<\/a> The state supreme courts have the final say over all state rulings. These are the "courts of last resort" for state matters.<\/p>\r\n

The U.S. Supreme Court hears rulings from federal judges. It is the highest court in the judicial system and makes final decisions on all appeals from lower courts.<\/p>\r\n

Jurisdiction of State and Federal Courts<\/h2>\r\n

Jurisdiction<\/a> refers to the types of cases a court may hear. State courts have general jurisdiction, meaning they have authority over all kinds of cases. Federal courts have limited jurisdiction and only hear matters involving federal questions and constitutional matters.<\/p>\r\n

State courts have jurisdiction over state laws. Criminal cases and disputes between residents of the same state are heard in the state where the incident occurred. Contract cases<\/a>, family law<\/a> matters, and traffic<\/a> violations are all state cases.<\/p>\r\n

Federal courts handle matters involving federal law. Federal crimes<\/a> and civil lawsuits against the government go to federal district court. Other cases that must be heard in federal court include:<\/p>\r\n