{"id":369040,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/legal-system\/state-court-cases.html"},"modified":"2026-07-23T14:05:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T19:05:59","slug":"state-court-cases","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/state-court-cases.html","title":{"rendered":"Types of Cases in State Court"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Types of Cases in State Court<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/samuel-strom-j-d\/\">Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            July 23, 2026\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-key-takeaways fl-mb30\" data-testid=\"fl-key-takeaways\">\n    <div class=\"fl-card-content\">\n        <div class=\"fl-card-body fl-card-bg-teal fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n                            <h2 class=\"fl-card-title fl-h2 fl-no-margin\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n                        <ul>\n<li>State courts hear most civil and criminal cases, from personal injury and contract disputes to major felonies and speeding tickets.<\/li>\n<li>They also help people obtain marriage licenses and complete the probate process, among other common legal matters.<\/li>\n<li>Generally, the only types of cases state courts don&#8217;t deal with are immigration, bankruptcy, patents, copyrights, and federal criminal cases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>When you have a <span data-term-id=\"59506073\">civil case<\/span>, you\u2019ll need to determine a proper venue. In many cases, the venue will be in a <span data-term-id=\"59506071\">state court<\/span>. It\u2019s helpful to start by learning the key differences between federal and <span data-term-id=\"59506071\">state courts<\/span> and what types of cases they hear.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes, questions about the court system need case-specific answers. For example, if you\u2019re starting a lawsuit against someone in a different state, you might want more detailed legal advice about where you should file. Find a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">litigation attorney near you<\/a> for help with a <span data-term-id=\"59506104\">civil court<\/span> case.<\/p>\n<h2>How Cases in <span data-term-id=\"59506071\">State Courts<\/span> Differ From Federal Cases<\/h2>\n<p>The main difference between\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/federal-or-state-court-subject-matter-jurisdiction.html\">federal and <span data-term-id=\"59506071\">state courts<\/span> is jurisdiction<\/a>. Jurisdiction refers to the types of cases a particular court can hear and decide.<\/p>\n<p><span data-term-id=\"59506071\">State courts<\/span> generally have broader jurisdiction than <span data-term-id=\"59506075\">federal courts<\/span>. State <span data-term-id=\"59506076\">trial courts<\/span> are usually courts of <span data-term-id=\"59506084\">general jurisdiction<\/span>. This means they have the authority to hear most legal disputes that other courts can\u2019t.<\/p>\n<h3>Types of Cases Heard in <span data-term-id=\"59506071\">State Courts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-term-id=\"59506071\">State courts<\/span> generally can hear the following types of cases:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family.html\">Family law disputes<\/a> like <span data-term-id=\"59506077\">divorce<\/span>, <span data-term-id=\"59506091\">child support<\/span>, <span data-term-id=\"59506094\">child custody<\/span>, and <span data-term-id=\"59506089\">adoption<\/span> matters<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal.html\"><span data-term-id=\"59506072\">Criminal cases<\/span><\/a>, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/classifications-of-crimes.html\">violations, <span data-term-id=\"59506078\">felonies<\/span>, and <span data-term-id=\"59506079\">misdemeanors<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/traffic\/traffic-tickets.html\"><span data-term-id=\"59506092\">Traffic tickets<\/span> and violations<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Civil causes of action, like a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/business-contracts-forms\/contract-law.html\">breach of contract<\/a>\u00a0or disputes involving\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/real-estate-and-real-property-law.html\">real property<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Probate and estate law disputes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Types of Cases Heard in <span data-term-id=\"59506075\">Federal Courts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The jurisdiction of <span data-term-id=\"59506075\">federal courts<\/span>, on the other hand, is limited to cases specified by the United States Constitution and Congress.<\/p>\n<p>The types of cases that <span data-term-id=\"59506075\">federal courts<\/span> hear are as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cases involving\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.findlaw.com\/law-library\/maritime-law.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">maritime<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/patent-law-how-do-i-secure-a-patent.html\">patent<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/what-is-copyright.html\/\">copyright<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration.html\">immigration<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/bankruptcy.html\">bankruptcy law<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Cases where the United States is a party<\/li>\n<li>Cases involving\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/us-federal-court-system.html\">violations of federal laws<\/a>\u00a0or the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Constitution<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition, if a <span data-term-id=\"59506073\">civil case<\/span> involves a plaintiff and a defendant who are citizens of different states, and the amount in controversy is more than $75,000, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/jurisdiction.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-term-id=\"59506075\">federal court<\/span> can hear it<\/a>. If both state and <span data-term-id=\"59506075\">federal courts<\/span> have jurisdiction, a plaintiff may choose to file their lawsuit in either court.<\/p>\n<h2>Powers of the State Courts<\/h2>\n<p>Laws differ in different states, but in general, state courts have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/personal-jurisdiction-how-to-determine-where-a-person-can-be.html\">jurisdiction<\/a>\u00a0over all citizens and residents of the state. A state\u2019s constitution establishes this\u00a0personal jurisdiction\u00a0by extending the laws of the state over everyone who lives or does business there.<\/p>\n<p>In other words, if you live or work in New York, you can sue or be sued in New York. The laws of New York protect your civil rights if you get arrested. If you\u00a0move to another state, that state\u2019s laws apply to you. You don\u2019t have to go back to New York to file a lawsuit against a resident of that state. States have personal jurisdiction over everyone in their borders.<\/p>\n<h2>Filing a <span data-term-id=\"59506073\">Civil Case<\/span> in <span data-term-id=\"59506071\">State Court<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-term-id=\"59506071\">State court<\/span> systems vary from state to state. Yet, they usually divide their cases based on their <span data-term-id=\"59506106\">subject matter<\/span>. Some types of <span data-term-id=\"59506073\">civil cases<\/span> are heard in special types of courts.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, <span data-term-id=\"59506071\">state courts<\/span> usually set up two sets of <span data-term-id=\"59506076\">trial courts<\/span> as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Courts with <span data-term-id=\"59506080\">limited jurisdiction<\/span>, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/family-legal-help\/state-family-courts.html\"><span data-term-id=\"59506090\">family court<\/span><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/traffic\/traffic-tickets\/how-to-fight-a-ticket.html\">traffic court<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/small-claims-cases.html\">small claims court<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/probate-courts-laws.html\"><span data-term-id=\"59506088\">probate court<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Courts with <span data-term-id=\"59506084\">general jurisdiction<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As noted above, most <span data-term-id=\"59506076\">trial courts<\/span> are courts of <span data-term-id=\"59506084\">general jurisdiction<\/span>. Some states have created courts of <span data-term-id=\"59506080\">limited jurisdiction<\/span>. This means they can only hear cases within their specific jurisdiction. For example, in New York state, <span data-term-id=\"59506086\">County Courts<\/span> may only hear civil disputes that do not exceed $25,000. Other common courts of <span data-term-id=\"59506080\">limited jurisdiction<\/span> include the following:<\/p>\n<p>Courts with <span data-term-id=\"59506084\">general jurisdiction<\/span> hear cases that don\u2019t fall within a <span data-term-id=\"59506080\">limited jurisdiction<\/span> category.<\/p>\n<h2><span data-term-id=\"59506071\">State Court<\/span> Systems<\/h2>\n<p>Each state has set up its own court system, which has led to variation between <span data-term-id=\"59506071\">state court<\/span> systems.<\/p>\n<p>The basic progression of a case is similar among states as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Generally, you begin your case by filing a complaint at the <span data-term-id=\"59506076\">trial court<\/span> level. Some cases, like minor <span data-term-id=\"59506103\">infractions<\/span>, <span data-term-id=\"59506095\">misdemeanor<\/span><span data-term-id=\"59506095\"> cases<\/span>, and local code violation complaints, begin in a <span data-term-id=\"59506093\">municipal court<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li>If you\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/appeal.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">appeal\u00a0<\/a>from the <span data-term-id=\"59506076\">trial court<\/span>, you likely will file it with an <span data-term-id=\"59506101\">intermediate <\/span><span data-term-id=\"59506081\">appellate court<\/span> in your state.<\/li>\n<li>If you appeal from the <span data-term-id=\"59506081\">appellate court<\/span>, you will probably file the appeal with your state\u2019s highest court, usually called a <span data-term-id=\"59506074\">supreme court<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/us-federal-court-system.html\">file a case in <span data-term-id=\"59506075\">federal court<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ll likely first file it in a U.S. District Court in your state. If you appeal, you\u2019ll file your appeal with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. If you appeal from the Court of Appeals, you must file a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/certiorari.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">writ of certiorari<\/a>\u00a0with the U.S. <span data-term-id=\"59506074\">Supreme Court<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/court-directories.html\">look up your <span data-term-id=\"59506071\">state court<\/span><\/a> to learn about specific court rules, court administration, and court forms. For more information, consider contacting the clerk\u2019s office at your local courthouse. The court clerk can provide general case information and procedural help but can\u2019t provide legal advice.<\/p>\n<h2>Hiring an Attorney<\/h2>\n<p>Some legal matters don\u2019t necessarily require the help of an attorney. But it\u2019s in your best interest to hire one if your matter involves \u2014 or potentially may involve \u2014 a trial.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, consider hiring a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a>\u00a0if the government charges you with a crime. The United States Constitution guarantees all defendants facing jail time the right to counsel. If defendants can\u2019t afford an attorney, they can request that the court appoint one for free.<\/p>\n<p>Although <span data-term-id=\"59506073\">civil cases<\/span> don\u2019t result in jail time, they can involve complex questions of fact and law and result in monetary loss. Usually, if you want to sue someone (or someone has sued you), hiring or at least contacting a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">litigation attorney<\/a>\u00a0to discuss your case is worth the money.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, you should consult with an attorney whenever you have questions about legal matters. This could save you time, money, and trouble down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n            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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FindLaw&#8217;s Litigation section provides an overview and helpful links regarding state court cases, including civil and criminal cases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":369021,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":["Content Word Count","External Links","Alt Text for All Images","Category Assigned","SEO Title 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