In the US, there are more State courts than Federal courts, and State courts have jurisdiction over more issues than do Federal courts. As a result, most legal proceedings are in State or local courts.
Courts that have the authority to be the first courts in which most federal cases are heard are known as district courts. These are the trial courts of the federal judiciary system and are responsible for hearing both civil and criminal cases.
State courts may hear criminal cases, misdemeanors or civil cases such as landlord tenant issues that arise under state law.ADDED: The short, simple answer to the question is - state courts hears all matters having to do with violations of THEIR STATE'S constitution or laws as passed by their state's legislature. State courts do not hear Federal law cases nor do they hear cases having to do with the laws of other states.
No, very few state cases end up in the federal judicial system; in fact, the vast majority of cases are plea bargained, or resolved at the state trial or intermediate appeals level.For more information about state cases moving to federal courts, see Related Questions, below.
Most states have three levels; some have more. The exact number of levels and their names depend on the state. The most common three levels are the trial court, the appellate court, and the supreme court. The higher-level courts hear appeals of the cases decided in the trial courts. In some states, the names are different. For example, in New York, the trial courts (depending on where you are and what kind of case you have) are called Supreme Courts, Family Courts, County Courts, District Courts, City Courts, Town Courts, or Village Courts; the intermediate appellate court is the Appellate Division, and the highest appellate court is the Court of Appeals. You can check out the New York court system at the related link below - or you can go from there to check out the court court system in any state on CourtReference.
District courts are part of the federal court system and handle cases within a specific geographic region, while federal courts refer to all courts established under the U.S. Constitution, including district courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court. District courts are the trial courts where most federal cases begin, while federal courts encompass the entire federal judiciary system, including appellate and Supreme Court levels.
State courts hear far more cases than federal courts.
The majority of cases in the US are heard by the various state courts.
Most criminal cases are heard in state courts because criminal law is primarily under the jurisdiction of state governments. States have their own criminal codes and court systems to handle cases involving violations of state laws. Federal courts typically only hear criminal cases involving violations of federal laws.
Most court cases in Illinois take place in the state’s circuit courts, which are the trial courts of general jurisdiction. Each of the 102 counties in Illinois has a circuit court, and they handle a wide range of cases, including civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Higher-level cases can be appealed to the Illinois Appellate Court, and further appeals may go to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Most criminal cases are heard in the state trial courts. By comparison, the federal courts hear relatively few criminal cases (only 78,428 in 2010), many related to illegal immigration, whereas the state courts, combined, try more than a million criminal cases per year. A report published by the Bureau of Judicial Statistics estimated 1,132,290 criminal cases were filed in state courts in 2006 (the most recent year for which aggregate statistics are available).
Most criminal cases are heard in the state trial courts. By comparison, the federal courts hear relatively few criminal cases (only 78,428 in 2010), many related to illegal Immigration, whereas the state courts, combined, try more than a million criminal cases per year. A report published by the Bureau of Judicial Statistics estimated 1,132,290 criminal cases were filed in state courts in 2006 (the most recent year for which aggregate statistics are available).
Most federal cases begin in the district courts.
State court cases begin in trial courts. They graduate up to the state level if one of the litigants is not satisfied with the decision of the lower court.
In most cases the trials are held in State Circuit Courts and prosecuted by State's Attorneys.
The state court system deals with state laws; however, the federal court system may also hear cases involving state laws under certain conditions.
Courts that have the authority to be the first courts in which most federal cases are heard are known as district courts. These are the trial courts of the federal judiciary system and are responsible for hearing both civil and criminal cases.
Both criminal and civil cases having to do with the regulations and statutes promulgated and passed into law by THAT state's legislature. State Courts try ONLY cases having to do with violation of THAT particular state's laws.