Keith Mack
The federal court system in the United States comprises district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court, each state government also has its own court system. Unless federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction, state courts may hear cases that federal courts would have jurisdiction over. State courts have the power and responsibility to enforce federal law unless federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. The Supreme Court has ruled that state courts must generally hear federal law claims unless a neutral rule of judicial administration bars them from doing so.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State courts can hear cases arising under federal law | Unless federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction, state courts may hear cases that federal courts would also have jurisdiction over |
| State courts must hear federal law claims | State courts generally must hear federal law claims unless state law bars a state court from hearing a federal claim through a "neutral rule of judicial administration" |
| State courts' duty to enforce federal law | State courts are bound to give effect to federal law and to disregard state law when there is a conflict |
| State court refusal to hear federal claims | It violates the Supremacy Clause for a state court to refuse to hear a category of federal claims when the court entertains state law actions of a similar nature |
| Supreme Court's role in federal and state law cases | The Supreme Court has the power to decide appeals on all cases brought in federal court or those brought in state court but dealing with federal law |
| Federal court jurisdiction | Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, meaning they can only hear cases authorized by the United States Constitution or federal statutes |
| State and federal court systems | Both the federal government and each of the state governments have their own court systems |
| Diversity jurisdiction in federal court | To bring a state law claim in federal court, all plaintiffs must be located in different states from the defendants, and the "amount in controversy" must exceed $75,000 |
| Criminal cases in state and federal courts | Criminal cases may not be brought under diversity jurisdiction; states may only bring criminal prosecutions in state courts, and the federal government may only bring criminal prosecutions in federal court |
| Double jeopardy in state and federal courts | The principle of double jeopardy does not apply between the federal and state governments; in some cases, the federal government may file charges against a defendant if the act is illegal under federal law, even if the state has already brought charges |
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What You'll Learn
State courts can hear cases arising under federal bankruptcy law
The US Constitution creates a federal system of government, wherein power is shared between the federal government and the state governments. Both the federal and state governments have their own court systems. The federal court system consists of district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States, which is the highest court in the country.
The federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases, which means that only federal courts can hear bankruptcy cases. This jurisdiction is derived from Congress's authority under Article I to establish "uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States." The primary purpose of federal bankruptcy laws is to give debtors a "fresh start" by relieving them of their debts and allowing them to repay creditors in an orderly manner.
However, in the 1876 case of Claflin v. Houseman, the Supreme Court held that state courts could hear cases arising under federal bankruptcy law. The Court reasoned that the laws of the United States are binding on the citizens and courts of the individual states and that the United States is not a foreign sovereignty but a concurrent and paramount sovereignty within its jurisdiction. The Court concluded that "state courts have concurrent jurisdiction whenever, by their own constitution, they are competent to take it."
In subsequent cases, the Supreme Court has ruled that state courts generally must hear federal law claims unless state law prohibits a state court from hearing a federal claim through a "neutral rule of judicial administration" that does not improperly burden claims arising under federal law. This principle was illustrated in the case of Testa v. Katt, where the Supreme Court held that a Rhode Island state court must enforce a federal statute, despite the state's policy of not enforcing penal statutes of other sovereigns.
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Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases
The US Constitution creates a federal system of government, with power shared between the federal government and the state governments. Each of these governments has its own court system. Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases, as per 28 U.S.C. § 1334. This means that bankruptcy cases must be heard in federal court.
The district courts have been responsible for gathering the assets of an insolvent debtor and distributing them to creditors in a fair manner. Bankruptcy proceedings can also give rise to other lawsuits, typically turning on issues of state law. For example, those appointed by the court to manage the bankrupt estate may sue third parties with claims on assets alleged to be due to the estate.
The Bankruptcy Amendments and Federal Judgeship Act of 1984 established the bankruptcy courts as a "unit" of the district courts. The new statute granted the district courts original and exclusive jurisdiction of all cases arising under bankruptcy laws. This means that bankruptcy cases are heard at the district court level, which is the trial court level.
Bankruptcy court proceedings are open to the public, except in extraordinary circumstances. Documents filed in connection with a bankruptcy case are also public (unless sealed) and can be viewed through PACER or at the bankruptcy clerk's office. Bankruptcy judges are authorized to use either contract court reporters or electronic sound recording equipment, with most using digital audio recording. Telephone and video court conferences are common in bankruptcy proceedings, as creditors and other interested parties are often located in many different places.
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State and federal court systems
The United States Constitution establishes a federal system of government, where power is shared between the federal government and the state governments. Consequently, both the federal government and each of the state governments have their own court systems.
The federal court system consists of three levels: district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States. District courts are the trial courts, circuit courts are the first level of appeal, and the Supreme Court is the final level of appeal. Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, meaning they can only hear cases authorized by the United States Constitution or federal statutes.
State courts have the power and duty to enforce federal law unless federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. For example, in the 1876 case of Claflin v. Houseman, the Supreme Court ruled that state courts could hear cases arising under federal bankruptcy law. However, federal law now grants exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases to federal courts. State courts generally must hear federal law claims unless state law bars a state court from hearing such claims through a "neutral rule of judicial administration" that does not improperly burden federal law claims.
While state courts can hear some cases involving federal law, criminal cases may not be brought under diversity jurisdiction. States may only bring criminal prosecutions in state courts, and the federal government may only bring criminal prosecutions in federal court. Additionally, the principle of double jeopardy, which prevents a defendant from being tried twice for the same charge, does not apply between state and federal governments.
The Supreme Court of the United States can decide appeals on cases brought in federal court or state court dealing with federal law. For example, if a state's highest court rules on a First Amendment freedom of speech case, the case can be appealed to the Supreme Court. However, if the case were decided solely on the basis of a similar state law, the Supreme Court would not have jurisdiction to hear the appeal.
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State court enforcement of federal law
The US Constitution creates a federal system of government, where power is shared between the federal government and the state governments. Both federal and state governments have their own court systems. The federal court system consists of district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States, which is the highest court in the land.
State courts have the power and the duty to enforce federal law unless federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In the 1876 case of Claflin v. Houseman, the Supreme Court ruled that state courts could hear cases arising under federal bankruptcy law. However, federal law now grants exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases to federal courts.
In deciding multiple cases on this issue, the Supreme Court has ruled that state courts must generally hear federal law claims unless state law bars a state court from hearing a federal claim through a "neutral rule of judicial administration" that does not improperly burden claims arising under federal law. For example, in the 2009 case Haywood v. Drown, the Supreme Court considered a state statute that divested New York state courts of jurisdiction over specific federal claims.
State courts are bound to give effect to federal law when applicable and to disregard state law when there is a conflict. The Supremacy Clause requires that a state court, when reviewing a prisoner's collateral claims controlled by federal law, must grant the relief that federal law requires. In the case of Testa v. Katt, the US Supreme Court reversed the Rhode Island Supreme Court's decision not to enforce a federal statute with a punitive damages provision, stating that a state must enforce federal law.
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State courts are bound to give effect to federal law
State and federal governments in the United States have their own court systems. The federal court system consists of district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States, which is the highest court in the American judicial system. The federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, meaning they can only hear cases authorized by the United States Constitution or federal statutes.
State courts are authorized to hear claims arising under federal law unless state law bars a state court from hearing a federal claim through a "neutral rule of judicial administration" that does not improperly burden claims arising under federal law. In the 1876 case of Claflin v. Houseman, the Supreme Court held that state courts could hear cases arising under federal bankruptcy law. The Court reasoned that "the laws of the United States are laws in the several States, and just as much binding on the citizens and courts thereof as the State laws are."
The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution establishes that state courts are bound to give effect to federal law when it is applicable and to disregard state law when there is a conflict. This includes not only the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties but also the interpretations of their meanings by the United States Supreme Court. In Montgomery v. Louisiana, the Supreme Court interpreted the Supremacy Clause to require that a state court, when reviewing a prisoner's collateral claims controlled by federal law, "has a duty to grant the relief that federal law requires."
In some cases, state courts have declined to enforce federal statutes, citing state policies, but the Supreme Court has reversed these decisions. For example, in Testa v. Katt, the Rhode Island Supreme Court declined to enforce a federal statute with a punitive damages provision, but the U.S. Supreme Court held that the state court must enforce the federal statute. The Court explained that "it cannot be assumed, the supremacy clause considered, that the responsibilities of a state to enforce the laws of a sister state are identical with its responsibilities to enforce federal laws."
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, unless state law bars a state court from hearing a federal claim through a "neutral rule of judicial administration".
State courts are bound to give effect to federal law and disregard state law in case of conflict. Federal law is the supreme law of the land, and state courts are competent to take jurisdiction over federal claims.
Yes, but only under certain conditions. For example, if the federal courts possess exclusive jurisdiction over a matter, or if a state court refuses to hear a category of federal claims while entertaining state law actions of a similar nature.
Yes, but all plaintiffs must be located in different states than the defendants, and the "amount in controversy" must be over $75,000.
