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Federal courts have subject matter jurisdiction over all matters involving federal law.
Both the US Supreme Court and the US District Courts share original jurisdiction over cases involving foreign diplomats; however, Congress has decided to allow the US District Courts to exercise original jurisdiction in this area. The Supreme Court may choose to hear these cases, but does not.
The authority of a court to rule on certain cases is known as the jurisdiction of the court. State courts have jurisdiction over matters within that state, and different levels of courts have jurisdiction over lawsuits involving different amounts of money. Federal courts have jurisdiction over lawsuits between citizens of different states, or cases based on federal statutes.
Federal courts have legal authority over cases involving federal laws and the interpretation of the United States Constitution. They also have jurisdiction over cases involving disputes between different states or between the United States and a foreign country.
The US Supreme Court has automatic jurisdiction over cases involving disputes between states, cases involving ambassadors and public ministers, and cases where a state is a party. It also has appellate jurisdiction over cases involving federal law and constitutional issues that have been decided by lower federal and state courts.
The US Supreme Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over cases involving disputes between the states. This is the only place such cases are heard.
Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over several categories of law including: Trademarks, copyrights, maritime law, conflicts between the states, when you want to sue your state or an official of it, violations of federal laws which do not have a state equivalent, cases that involve foreign governments or citizens. Federal courts also have some jurisdiction if you are suing someone from another state who has significantly harmed you and doesn't have any connection to your state.
State courts hear any and all cases having to do with the laws of their particular state which were passed by their state legislature. They do not hear cases involving the laws of other states nor do they hear Federal cases.
In cases involving ambassadors, it is the Supreme Court of the United States that has original jurisdiction. The Supreme Court was formed in 1789.
According to Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution, the US Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over cases:affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consulsdisputes between the states (original and exclusive jurisdiction, see 28 U.S.C. § 1251)Currently, the US Supreme Court only exercises original jurisdiction in disputes between the states; per 28 USC § 1251, the Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the US District Courts over cases involving ambassadors. Congress allocated original jurisdiction over cases involving foreign officials to the US District Courts, because the Supreme Court does not have original and exclusive jurisdiction. Original jurisdiction is shared with the US District Courts.In all other cases the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction.
US district courts have trial jurisdiction (aka original jurisdiction) over federal court cases.
original jurisdiction over most cases, no appellate jurisdiction (: Study Island!!