Question

What is theFederal Court system? What is the State Court system? What is the difference between the two and how can you tell which is which?

Answer 1

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law in America. It creates a federal system of government wherein the main power is shared between the state governments and the federal government. Because of federalism, both the federal state governments and the federal government have their own court systems. In America, there are two courts - federal and state. The state governments run the state court, and the federal government runs the federal court. The key difference between Federal Court system and State Court system

1) Establishment of State and Federal Courts

Federal courts are established under the U.S. Constitution to make a verdict on disputes involving the Constitution and laws passed by Congress. On contrary, state and local courts are established by a state (which means within states there exist local courts that are established by local cities, nations, and other municipalities).

2) Selection of Judges

To be appointed as a federal judge, it is mandatory to be nominated by the President of the America, and the nomination need to be confirmed by Congress. Federal judges are appointed for life terms and can only be removed in specific cases by the process of impeachment. On the other hand, State court judges, are selected in a number of ways depending on the state.

3) Jurisdiction and Types of Cases

The biggest difference among federal courts and state courts is each system’s jurisdiction. The general rule states if an individual break a state law then case will be tried in state court, and if person break a federal law then case will be tried in federal court.

4) Courts and Caseloads

State courts handle by far the huge number of cases, and have more contact with the public if compared to federal courts.

Thus from the above key differences we can tell whether it is Federal Court system and State Court system. The federal court mainly deals with federal concerns such as drug trafficking, trafficking of firearms, robbery of federally insured banks, federal tax offenses, dispute among states, bankruptcy, and case related to treaties and laws of the nation. Majority of the criminal cases are heard in the state courts. State court handles majority of the tort cases (personal injuries), probate (wills and estates) cases, and family cases (marriage, adoption, and divorce).