What types of cases do state courts handle?

• A. Cases involving violations of state law.
• B. Federal constitutional cases only.
• C. Appeals from federal courts exclusively.
• D. International trade disputes.

Answer: (A)

State courts handle cases that involve violations of state law. They adjudicate criminal prosecutions and civil disputes that arise under the state’s statutes, including areas like family law, probate, contract claims governed by state law, and local regulatory matters. Federal constitutional cases are usually heard in federal courts because they involve questions about the U.S. Constitution or federal statutes, though state courts may interpret federal rights as they apply to state law. Appeals from federal courts go through the federal system, not the state system, and international trade disputes are typically handled in federal courts. So, cases involving state law are the primary focus of state courts.