Which cases are resolved by federal courts?

Which cases are resolved by federal courts?

• A. Any case arising under the United States Constitution, a United States law, or any treaty to which the United States is a party
• B. All state law claims
• C. Only criminal cases
• D. Civil cases with damages over a threshold

Answer: (A)

Federal courts resolve cases that involve a federal question—cases arising under the United States Constitution, a federal statute, or a treaty to which the United States is a party. This is the essence of federal question jurisdiction: federal courts have authority whenever the claim hinges on federal law or a federal instrument. The other statements misstate the scope: state-law claims are generally handled in state courts unless there’s a basis for federal jurisdiction (like a federal question or diversity of citizenship with the appropriate amount in controversy). Federal courts do not limit themselves to criminal matters nor to civil cases only when damages exceed a certain threshold; civil cases can land in federal court for various reasons, not just because of a large damages amount.

Federal courts resolve cases that involve a federal question—cases arising under the United States Constitution, a federal statute, or a treaty to which the United States is a party. This is the essence of federal question jurisdiction: federal courts have authority whenever the claim hinges on federal law or a federal instrument. The other statements misstate the scope: state-law claims are generally handled in state courts unless there’s a basis for federal jurisdiction (like a federal question or diversity of citizenship with the appropriate amount in controversy). Federal courts do not limit themselves to criminal matters nor to civil cases only when damages exceed a certain threshold; civil cases can land in federal court for various reasons, not just because of a large damages amount.