What types of cases are eligible for federal court (subject matter jurisdiction)?

Which types of cases are dealt with in Federal Court?

Federal court jurisdiction is restricted to specific categories of cases mentioned in the U.S. Constitution. Primarily, federal court jurisdiction covers cases where the United States is involved, cases related to Constitutional or federal law violations, crimes committed on federal property, and bankruptcy cases. Additionally, federal courts preside over cases based on state law that involve parties from diverse states. Although federal courts handle a smaller number of cases compared to state courts, the cases they handle are typically of immense significance and attract significant attention from the media and the public.

The issue of federal jurisdiction is crucial to address before initiating a legal action, as it determines the court’s authority. Federal Court operates within specific jurisdictional limits. While a wide range of cases can be filed in state court, only three categories of cases qualify for federal court: (1) cases involving the United States government as a party; (2) cases based on federal law; and (3) cases involving parties from different states with a claim valued over $75,000. If these specific requirements are not met, the federal court lacks the “jurisdiction” to hear your lawsuit, resulting in its dismissal without considering your claims.