decides cases involving crimes against
Federal courts hear cases with federal jurisdiction. Such jurisdiction comes if the case hears a question of federal law or if the case has diversity jurisdiction (parties are citizens of different states and minimum dollar amount is in dispute.)
United States District Courts have original jurisdiction over cases involving federal crimes, civil suits under federal law, civil suits between citizens of different states, admiralty and maritime cases, bankruptcy cases, actions of certain federal administrative agencies, and other matters that may be assigned to them by Congress.
The United States Constitution, Article 3, Sections 2 states that the Supreme Court has the ". . . judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting . . . to controversies to which the United States shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more states;--between a state and citizens of another state;--between citizens of different states;--between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects."Therefore, the Supreme Court has the power to settle disputes involving the United States.
Yes. The federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes with foreign countries, and this is one of the areas over whichthe Constitution grants the Supreme Court original (trial) jurisdiction.Article III, Section 2"The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to controversies to which the United States shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more states;--between a state and citizens of another state;--between citizens of different states;--between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects."
US District Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction for the federal government, and hear both criminal and civil cases. Some of the classes of cases heard in District Court include:Criminal cases involving violation of federal laws (e.g., kidnapping, bank robbery, drug trafficking, etc.)Civil cases involving torts under federal law, the Constitution or US treatiesCivil cases between parties of different states for amounts in excess of $75,000 (diversity jurisdiction)Civil actions brought by or against the United States (with some exceptions)Maritime cases under federal jurisdictionCases involving ambassadors or foreign dignitariesAppeals of certain federal agency decisions (e.g., Social Security Appeals Council decisions)The US District Courts do not hear cases involving specialty jurisdiction, such as bankruptcy or tax cases.
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.
The Executive Branch (President) hears cases between the state governments.
Federal diversity jurisdiction may be invoked in a civil action between citizens of different states if the amount of the claim is in excess of $75,000.
involving two or more states
In cases involving ambassadors, it is the Supreme Court of the United States that has original jurisdiction. The Supreme Court was formed in 1789.
involving two or more states