What is the Difference Between State and Federal Courts?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between state and federal courts lies in their jurisdiction, which refers to the types of cases a court is authorized to hear. Here are the key differences between state and federal courts:
State Courts:
- Established by the laws of each state.
- Have broad jurisdiction, hearing cases ranging from criminal matters to family law disputes.
- State courts are the final arbiters of state laws and constitutions.
- Handle the majority of cases and have more contact with the public than federal courts.
Federal Courts:
- Established under the U.S. Constitution.
- Have a narrower jurisdiction, generally hearing cases involving:
- The United States as a party to the case.
- An allegation of a violation of the United States Constitution or a federal law.
- Bankruptcy, copyright, patent, and maritime laws.
- Parties in different states when the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.
- Defend many of the most basic rights, such as freedom of speech and equal protection under the law.
In some cases, both state and federal courts can have jurisdiction over an issue, and the plaintiff can choose where to file the lawsuit. Additionally, the federal court system has three main levels: district courts (the trial court), circuit courts (the first level of appeal), and the Supreme Court of the United States (the final level of appeal).
Comparative Table: State vs Federal Courts
Here is a table highlighting the differences between state and federal courts:
| Feature | State Courts | Federal Courts |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment | Established by states | Established under the U.S. Constitution |
| Jurisdiction | Broad jurisdiction, handling cases such as robberies, traffic violations, broken contracts, and family disputes | Limited jurisdiction, handling cases involving the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and disputes between states or parties from different states |
| Structure | Vary by state, may include municipal courts, county courts, state trial courts, state appellate courts, and a state supreme court | Consists of the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts established by Congress, including district courts and courts of appeals |
| Judicial Selection | Judges are selected in a variety of ways, including election, appointment, and merit selection | Judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, holding office during good behavior, typically for life |
| Types of Cases Heard | Most disputes that govern daily lives, including state laws and local ordinances | Cases involving federal laws, the U.S. Constitution, and disputes between states or parties from different states |
State courts have broad jurisdiction and handle a wide variety of cases, while federal courts have limited jurisdiction and primarily deal with cases involving the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and disputes between states or parties from different states.
- Circuit Court vs District Court
- State vs Federal Legislation
- Federal vs State Prison
- Court vs Trial
- District vs Superior Court
- Federal vs National
- Civil vs Criminal Court
- Court vs Tribunal
- State vs Government
- Trial Court vs Appellate Court
- Judge vs Jury
- Magistrates Court vs Crown Court
- Commonwealth vs State
- States vs Territories
- Federal vs Unitary Government
- Federation vs Confederation
- Federalists vs Anti-Federalists
- Juvenile Court vs Criminal Court
- State Government vs Central Government