STATE V. FEDERAL COURTS Where will my case go?

State Courts  Crimes under state legislation  State constitutional issues / cases involving state laws or regulations  Family law issues  Real property issues  Private contract disputes  Issues involving the internal governance of business associations such as partnerships and corporations  Issues regarding regulations of trades and professions  Professional malpractice issues  Personal injury lawsuits  Workers injury claims  Probate and inheritance matters  Traffic violations and registration of motor vehicles

Federal Courts  Crimes under statutes enacted by congress  Cases involving federal laws or regulations  Matters involving interstate and international commerce  Cases involving securities and commodities regulation  Traffic violations involving federal property  Admiralty cases  International trade law  Patent, copyright issues  Cases involving rights under treaties, foreign states and foreign nationals  Disputes between states  Bankruptcy matters  Habeas Corpus actions

Both Courts  Crimes punishable by both state and federal laws  Federal constitutional issues  Certain civil rights claims  “class action” lawsuits  Environmental regulations