Can Federal Courts Hear State Law Cases (and Vice Versa)?
When can a Federal Court hear State Law Issues in a Federal Trial?
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Can federal trial court hear matters of state law? And vice versa?
It depends. The nuances of federal and state trial court authority in such situations are discussed below.
Next Article: State and Federal Appellate Courts Hear State and Federal Cases Back to: US COURT SYSTEM
A state trial court may hear a case involving a federal question under certain circumstances.
There are, however, certain types of cases that a state court cannot hear.
Those cases involve a legal situation in which the applicable federal law preempts the entire area of law, such as immigration or bankruptcy.
Likewise, a federal trial court may hear a state-law case under certain circumstances.
For a federal court to hear a state matter and vice versa, courts must have subject-matter jurisdiction over some legal issue in the case.
This generally occurs in two circumstances:
- the case may involve a mixture of state and federal law, or
- the case is a diversity action.
If a case involving federal law also involves issues of state law, the federal court may adjudicate the state law issues arising in that case.
Likewise, a state court hearing issues of state law case may apply federal law to adjudicate a federal law issue.
Lastly, a federal court has subject-matter jurisdiction over diversity cases that involve only state law.
The federal court will apply the substantive law of the state in which the court is located.
The court will apply federal procedural law unless the federal procedural law would likely change the outcome of the case or is outcome determinative.
In such an event, the state procedural law will apply. These rules are known collectively as the Erie Doctrine.
Discussion Question
Why do you think it is important to limit the ability of state courts to hear federal law issues and vice versa? Is there a good argument to allow greater ability of state and federal courts to hear issues solely involving the other's law?
- There is an argument that allowing states to administer matters of federal law (and vice versa) might lead to a misinterpretation or application of the law by the forum with less familiarity. Further, it creates issues for where the matter can or should be reviewed on appeal.
Practice Question
Zora hires Isabelle as a contractor to design and manufacture a new baby product. Zora files and successfully prosecutes a utility patent on the product. In the contract with Isabelle, she agrees not to copy, trade, or otherwise employ the patented work. Isabelle later takes Zoras design and begins producing a knock-off version of the product. Zora brings legal action against Isabelle for patent infringement. Patent law is exclusively federal and preempts all state law. Zora also sues Isabelle for breach of contract under New York Law. What are the subject-matter jurisdiction issues if Zora sues Isabelle in federal district court? What are the issues if Zora sues in state court?
- Generally, the state court would not be able to hear patent law matters. It could, however, here the state-law contract matters. If, however, Zora sues Isabelle in Federal court, the court would be able to hear all of the matters. The subject-matter jurisdiction of the federal court to hear the matter is: 1) the case involves a mixture of state and federal law court where the court is located. The federal court will apply substantive state law to the contract claim. Interestingly, the court will apply federal procedural law unless the federal procedural law would likely change the outcome of the case or is outcome determinative. The state procedural law will apply pursuant to the Erie Doctrine.
Related Topics
- US Courts (Intro)
- What is the Authority for Article III Courts?
- What is the Authority for Article I Courts?
- What is the authority for courts under Article II?
- What is the authority for Article IV Territorial Courts?
- What is the authority for State Courts?
- What are Article III Courts?
- What are Article I Administrative Courts?
- What are Article IV Territorial Courts?
- What are state courts?
- What is Subject-Matter Jurisdiction?
- What is Federal Court Subject-Matter Jurisdiction?
- What is State Court Subject-Matter Jurisdiction?
- Can a Federal trial courts hear state matters & vice versa?
- Can a Federal appellate court hear federal matters & vice versa?
- What is Personal Jurisdiction?
- How to establish Federal Court Personal Jurisdiction?
- How to establish State Court Personal Jurisdiction?
- What is a Long-Arm Statute?
- Who are the primary players in the state judicial system?
- What types of judges are part of the judiciary?
- What are the duties of trial judges in the legal system?
- Contempt of Court
- Declaratory Judgment
- Equitable Relief
- Equity - Definition
- What are the duties of Appellate Judges & Justices?
- De Novo Review
- What is the role of jurors in the judicial system?
- What number of jurors and juror votes are required for guilt or liability?
- What do Attorneys do?
- Who are the other players in the judicial system?
- US Circuit Court?
- US Supreme Court?
- Appeals from Legislative and Administrative Courts
- Appeals in the state court system?