Can a federal question be heard in state court?

Asked by: Prof. Cyril Murray  |  Last update: November 19, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (48 votes)

Most state courts are courts of general jurisdiction . State courts are presumed to have power to hear virtually any claim arising under federal or state law, except those falling under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts.

Can state courts hear federal question cases?

Stated more succinctly, state courts have jurisdiction over federal claims unless Congress says no or the very principles that empower state courts counsel against concurrent jurisdiction.

Can federal law be tried in state court?

Ry., 292 U.S. 230, 233–34 (1934) ( “[T]he Federal Constitution prohibits state courts of general jurisdiction from refusing to do so solely because the suit is brought under a federal law.” ).

What is the jurisdiction of the federal question?

Federal question jurisdiction is one of the two ways for a federal court to gain subject matter jurisdiction over a case (the other way is through diversity jurisdiction ). Generally, in order for federal question jurisdiction to exist, the cause of action must arise under federal law.

Do state courts have jurisdiction over federal agencies?

Note: You cannot sue the federal government in state court. You can only sue the federal government or a federal agency in federal court.

What is Federal Question Jurisdiction

31 related questions found

Can a state enforce a federal law?

Many federal statutes authorize civil enforcement by both a federal agency and the states, typically through their attorneys general.

What are three example cases that would probably be heard in federal court?

More specifically, federal courts hear criminal, civil, and bankruptcy cases.

Under what circumstances may a federal court be called upon to resolve a state question?

To bring a state law claim in federal court, all of the plaintiffs must be located in different states than all of the defendants, and the “amount in controversy” must be more than $75,000. (Note: the rules for diversity jurisdiction are much more complicated than explained here.)

What cases are brought under federal question jurisdiction?

Federal question jurisdiction allows federal courts to exercise jurisdiction over all cases “arising under this Constitution” and “the Laws of the United States.” If a case involves an alleged violation of the Constitution or a federal law, the federal courts likely have jurisdiction to decide it.

What's the relationship between state court systems and the federal court system?

Federal and state courts generally operate separately, but there is not an absolute division between the federal and state judicial systems. Sometimes, state courts decide questions of state law and federal courts decide questions of federal law.

Can a state court prosecute a federal crime?

Federal charges can only be prosecuted in federal courts. State charges can only be prosecuted in state courts.

Does state law override federal?

The Supremacy Clause refers to the foundational principle that, in general, federal law takes precedence over any conflicting state law.

Can a case go from state court to federal court?

Federal statutes specify the circumstances in which cases may be removed from state to federal court. One such statute allows for removal of certain civil or criminal proceedings against federal officers or agencies or those acting under their direction.

Can states ignore federal court decisions?

Without complete preemption, our system of federalism leaves room for state law to supplement or stand alongside federal law. States often use that freedom to depart from federal law by passing laws or issuing judicial opinions that explicitly reject specific opinions issued by the U.S. Supreme Court.

What is an example of lack of jurisdiction?

A: A federal indictment is rarely so defective as to not charge an offense, but when this does happen, the conviction is ripe for a section 2255 challenge. This is a classic example of lack of jurisdiction; if the indictment never charged an offense, there was never a crime for the court to adjudicate.

What is the Holmes test?

o Holmes (Creation) Test: A suit arises under the law that creates the cause of action. American Well Works, 303. ▪ Exception: If federal statute creates cause of action, but the suit does NOT require interpretation of the. Constitution or laws of the United States.

What determines if a case is federal or state?

Jurisdiction 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. State courts have jurisdiction over state laws.

Where are all cases which do not specifically fall under federal jurisdiction heard?

State courts are courts of "general jurisdiction". They hear all the cases not specifically selected for federal courts. Just as the federal courts interpret federal laws, state courts interpret state laws.

What is the erie test?

In the 1938 decision Erie Railroad v. Tompkins,1. 304 U.S. 64, 80 (1938). the Supreme Court set forth what is now commonly known as the Erie doctrine, which generally requires a federal court to apply state substantive law, unless the matter before it is governed by federal law.

Can a state court issue a decision that disagrees with a federal court?

With the exception of the U.S. Supreme Court, courts of appeals and state courts do not bind courts outside the state or circuit in which they are located. That is, a federal Supreme Court decision is mandatory on all lower federal courts, both courts of appeals and district courts.

What is considered a federal question?

A genuine issue of law or controversy that can be originally adjudicated within a United States federal court because it concerns U.S Constitutional law, federal statutory law, a treaty, or international law.

In what circumstances can a person be tried in both federal and state court?

Concurrent jurisdiction occurs when both state and federal courts have the legal authority to prosecute a case. This can happen in situations where a crime violates both state and federal laws or when civil disputes involve parties from different states with significant amounts at stake.

What is the difference between state and federal law?

Overview. There are different types of laws. Federal laws apply to everyone in the United States. State and local laws apply to people who live or work in a particular state, commonwealth, territory, county, city, municipality, town, township or village.

Under what circumstances may federal courts hear a case?

In order for a federal court to hear a suit originally, the action must concern some federal law ( federal question jurisdiction ), or it must be between citizens of different states – with at least one plaintiff suing for $75,000 or more ( diversity jurisdiction ).

What cases does the local court hear?

In the local court, civil cases are dispute about money or property, such as:
  • loan agreements.
  • unpaid bills.
  • damages from a motor vehicle accident.
  • services paid for and not provided.
  • property not returned.