Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Michigan
Federalism
under our system of federalism, are civil cases heard in federal court, and criminal heard in state courts
Asked on 8/10/04, 9:08 am
1 Answer from Attorneys
William Stern
William Stern, P.C.
Re: Federalism
No. Only a very limited amount of cases are heard in federal court. You must have federal jurisdiction to be heard in federal court. It must involved diversity jurisidiction where each party is a resident of separate states and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 or it must involve interpretation of a federal statute. Otherwise, in general, all civil suits are heard in state courts. William S. Stern
Answered on 8/10/04, 9:58 am