No, they are completely different court systems. One has jurisdiction over state matters, the other over federal matters.
appeals and jurisdiction
appeals and jurisdiction
The highest court in the federal system is the United States Supreme Court, with nine Supreme Court Justices. The states do not share jurisdiction with the federal court, so the states courts are not a part of the federal court system. Each state decides what it calls its highest court. In Texas, there is a separate court for civil versus criminal cases.
The jurisdiction of the Federal Court system is limited due to checks and balances. Like the executive and legislative branches, the Federal branch also has certain limitations and restrictions. This includes not being able to govern or mandate city, state, local, or civil court cases.
appeals and jurisdiction
Concurrent jurisdiction allows both state and federal courts to hear cases involving federal laws, diversity of citizenship cases, and cases involving concurrent jurisdiction statutes. It means either court can hear the case.
Your question is not clear, because the states are part of the nation. Questions of state law and state constitutional issues are decided in the State court system; questions of federal law and US Constitutional issues are decided in the federal system. Each system has its unique jurisdiction, although they share jurisdiction over some cases (called concurrent jurisdiction).
First, you have to figure out which court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of the complaint. If both state and federal courts have jurisdiction (as they often do) then you would consider which court system you prefer based on the court fees, procedural rules, propensities of the judges, etc.
Concurrent jurisdiction
Concurrent jurisdiction
appeals and jurisdiction
Both federal and state courts have jurisdiction over criminal cases.