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You cannot sue a state in state court.

The Eleventh Amendment, ratified to protect the states from the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia, (1793), initially only protected states from being sued in federal court by citizens of another state. In Hans v. Louisiana, the Supreme Court ruled that a citizen cannot sue their own state either, based on principles of state sovereign immunity and federalism.

Then in Alden v. Maine, the Court extended sovereign immunity further, and prohibited private suits against states in state court as well.

Therefore, the bottom line is that citizens cannot sue states, state entities, or state officials in their officialcapacities (Citizens can sue state officials as individuals.

There are, however, a few limitations to state sovereign immunity: First, a state can be sued if they consent to the suit. Second, Congress (under the 14th Amendment) can make a state subject to money damages if the state violates civil rights of individuals. And third, the federal government and the states waive their immunity in certain cases, such as tort cases.

Additional Notes:

  • States may remove actions against private citizens to federal court.
  • The United States may initiate action against a state in federal court.
  • One state may initiate action against another state in federal court.
  • States may waive their Eleventh Amendment protection and allow private parties to initiate action in federal court, but this is a discretionary action.
  • State sovereign immunity does not extend to municipalities within a state.
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13y ago
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10y ago

Yes, the United States government can sue individual states, and states can sue the federal government. Lawsuits between states and the federal government have occurred as far back as the founding of this country.

When the federal government does sue a state, it is typically because that state is in direct violation of a federal law.

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13y ago

Yes. The US Supreme Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over conflicts between states. These cases are only heard in the Supreme Court.

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13y ago

Yes. Disputes between states are heard in the US Supreme Court.

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Q: Can you sue a state in state court?
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