Federal, State, or Concurrent Jurisdiction?

When can a federal court hear a case involving two parties from different states and a large sum of money?

• When both parties are from the same state
• When the amount in controversy is less than $50,000
• When the case involves a federal crime
• When there is complete diversity of citizenship between the parties and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.

According to the text, what types of cases fall under the exclusive subject matter jurisdiction of federal courts?

• Cases involving healthcare

• Cases involving real estate

• Cases involving education

• Cases involving bankruptcy, immigration, and copyright

In which situation would a state court likely have jurisdiction over a case?

• When it involves foreign trade agreements

• When it deals with federal tax evasion

• When it pertains to a personal injury claim

• When it relates to maritime law

Which of the following types of cases fall under the jurisdiction of state courts?

• Immigration law disputes

• Admiralty cases
  

• Patent infringement lawsuits

• Traffic violations

What does the term "concurrent jurisdiction" mean in relation to courts?

• Multiple courts have the authority to hear the same case.
• Concurrent jurisdiction refers to the jurisdiction of a single court
• It means that courts have no authority to hear cases
• Only one court has the authority to hear a case

Why might a party involved in a case with concurrent jurisdiction choose between state and federal courts?

• To see which court has the faster trial process

• 1. To determine the guilt or innocence of the parties involved

• To decide which court system is best to hear the case

• To avoid going to court altogether

 Debbie and Jim Lomach were driving from their home in Chicago to Dallas for a family reunion in their brand new Airstream motorhome when a truck full of oranges from the Florida Floranges Company plowed into their Airstream, causing over $100,000 of damages to the motorhome. Although no one was injured physically in the crash, the Lomaches have come to you asking what they should do about the extensive damage to their Airstream (not to mention the lingering citrus smell).

• Federal since this case involves parties from different states. If the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000,

• State since it involves a motor vehicle accident and property damage that occurred within a particular state’s boundaries

• Concurrent: because it meets the requirements for both state and federal

 April Snow, a rising star in the pop music world, stomps into your office because a new artist, Hybiscus Slant, has come out with a song entitled “You’re My One and Only Glove,” which sounds exactly like April’s hit from last year, “You’re My One and Only Love.” She knows there are national copyright laws that protect songwriters against people copying their melodies and words, and she’s looking for your help.

• This deals with copyright law, which falls under federal jurisdiction

• This deals with copyright law, which falls under state jurisdiction

• This deals with copyright law, which could be concurrent jurisdiction

Susan Hammond looks desperate as she bursts in your office. She tells you her husband, Tom, was making fake $100 bills in their spare bedroom. She used a few of the bills to purchase a $350 CatMagic self-flushing litter box. She was arrested late last night by the F.B.I. and charged with the crime of knowingly using counterfeit bills. She needs you to represent her in her criminal case

• Federal jurisdiction because it involves counterfeiting, which is a federal crime

• State jurisdiction because it involves counterfeiting, which is a state crime

• Concurrent jurisdiction because it involves counterfeiting, which could be either

Ted Abel walks into your office and tells you his sad story. He had been trying to get to the local baseball field to catch the last innings of his son’s big game when he was pulled over for speeding. He was traveling 62 mph in a 45-mile-an-hour zone. He also forgot to renew his license after his last birthday, so he was driving with an expired license.

• Federal: traffic violations—speeding and driving with an expired license—which are generally regulated by the federal government

• State: traffic violations—speeding and driving with an expired license—which are generally regulated by state governments.

• Concurrent - speeding and driving with an expired license—which are generally regulated by state or federal government