Summary of Federal, Civil, and State Lawsuits
1. Federal Lawsuits
- Jurisdiction: Heard in federal courts, which are distinct from state courts. Federal courts handle cases involving:
- The federal government as a party.
- Violations of federal laws (e.g., constitutional rights, federal regulations).
- Disputes between citizens of different states (if the amount exceeds $75,000).
- Federal agencies (e.g., EPA, FTC).
- Examples:
- Federal crimes (e.g., drug trafficking, immigration violations).
- Constitutional rights cases (e.g., free speech issues).
- Disputes between states.
- Key Sources: Cornell Law School, Federal Judicial Center.
2. Civil Lawsuits
- Nature: Non-criminal disputes where individuals or entities sue for monetary damages or other relief (e.g., injunctions).
- Jurisdiction: Can be filed in state or federal courts, depending on the case (federal jurisdiction applies if federal laws or diversity jurisdiction are involved).
- Examples:
- Contract disputes.
- Personal injury claims.
- Property disputes.
- Family law (e.g., divorce, child custody).
- Burden of Proof: Requires a preponderance of evidence (the plaintiff’s case must be more likely true than not).
- Key Sources: FindLaw, Nolo.
3. State Lawsuits
- Jurisdiction: Heard in state courts and involve state laws. Each state has its own court system and legal rules.
- Examples:
- Criminal cases under state law (e.g., robbery, assault).
- Family law disputes (e.g., child custody, divorce).
- Tort cases (e.g., negligence, personal injury).
- Key Points: Procedures and laws depend on the specific state, though they must align with the U.S. Constitution.
- Key Sources: American Bar Association.
Key Differences
- Federal Lawsuits: Focus on federal laws or involve federal parties/agencies.
- Civil Lawsuits: Can be either state or federal, depending on jurisdiction, involving disputes between private parties.
- State Lawsuits: Centered on state laws and handled in state courts.
Illustrative Examples
- Federal Lawsuit: A lawsuit against the EPA for violating environmental regulations.
- Civil Lawsuit: A breach of contract dispute between two businesses, possibly in state court unless diversity jurisdiction applies.
- State Lawsuit: A personal injury case from a car accident, heard under state tort law.