State vs Federal Courts: Difference and Comparison

While primitive ways of delivering justice still prevail in the nooks and corners of the world, most of us are part of a justice delivery system that employs modern techniques but still lags. The Court Structure in the US is fascinating yet a source of confusion.

Key Takeaways

1. State courts handle most cases, including criminal matters, family law, and most civil cases, while federal courts deal with cases involving federal laws or constitutional issues.
2. Federal courts have more limited jurisdiction and only hear cases meeting specific criteria, such as disputes between states or involving foreign governments.
3. State court judges are elected or appointed by the governor, whereas federal judges receive appointments from the President and must undergo Senate confirmation.

State vs Federal Courts 

A State court is a court that is established by individual states. A state court hears cases involving state laws. A federal court is a court that is established by the federal government and hears cases involving federal laws or disputes between parties from different states or countries.

State Courts are the courts that exist in a State-level. The Constitution of the respective States and the laws of those States create these Courts.

The Constitution of the country creates Federal Court System. They, too, have a similar hierarchy of Courts but at a federal level.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	State Courts	Federal Courts
Operation	These courts are operative at a state-level	These Courts are operative at a federal-level
Created by	The respective State Constitutions and the laws of that State create these Courts	These Courts are created by the Constitution of the Country
Court of Appeals	Here the dissatisfied parties can approach the intermediate Court of Appeals.	The dissatisfied parties can approach the US Court of Appeals
Final Authority	The highest court in the State is the final authority	The final authority here is the Supreme Court
Matters Heard	Criminal, civil, and torts	In addition to criminal and civil. It deals with matters of constitutional importance.

State Court System – YouTube

State Courts are the courts that exist at a State-level. The Constitution of the respective States and the laws of those States create these Courts.

There are various ways of doing it, and such ways are by conducting an election, sometimes the appointment of a judge is only for a few years, sometimes it is for life, and a combination of all these methods can also be applied to select the judge.

Furthermore, the matters that they entertain are also limited and not as vast as the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts. The cases that these courts entertain are mostly criminal or civil.

In the States, when the State Courts have to deal with matters or laws unique to their State, the Supreme Court of the State becomes the final authority.

What are Federal Courts?

These Courts have the final say in almost all matters of a federal nature. The Constitution of the country creates the Federal Court System.

If the judge involves himself in any activity that is unwonted for, then such a judge will be impeached. The Constitution of the country also lays down the procedure of such impeachment.

These courts also deal with matters that involve the interpretation of the Constitution. Any laws and treaties that we enter into are also a part of its jurisdiction.

Main Differences Between State and Federal Courts 

1. The appointment of the judges in the State Courts can be made by conducting an election, appointing a judge only for a few years or for life. In contrast, the judge in the Federal Courts is nominated by the President. Thereafter, their nominations are confirmed by the Senate.
2. The State’s Supreme Court is the final authority when dealing with the interpretation of the State Constitution or laws. In Federal Courts, the US Supreme Court is the final authority in matters that aren’t unique to the states.

References

1. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/sealr19&div=24&id=&page=
2. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.4159/9780674042247/html