Question

Which of the following statements are true about state courts?

A) Smaller states may use the federal court system in place of state courts.
B) State supreme court cases on state law can be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
C) They are generally separate from the federal court system.
D) Most Americans are more likely to have experience with a state court than a federal court.

Answer 1

True statements about state courts are that they are generally separate from the federal court system, and most Americans are more likely to have an experience with a state court than a federal court. Smaller states do not use the federal court system in place of their own, and state Supreme Court cases can only be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court if a federal question is involved. The correct answer is option C) and D).

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding the true statements about state courts:

• C) They are generally separate from the federal court system. State courts handle the vast majority of cases in the United States, dealing with state-level issues such as traffic fines, divorce settlements, and criminal cases.
• D) Most Americans are more likely to have experience with a state court than a federal court. State courts handle several million cases annually, in contrast to the federal system, which handles a proportionately smaller number.

Statements A and B need clarification:

• A) Smaller states do not use the federal court system in place of state courts. Each state, regardless of size, has its own court system.
• B) State Supreme Court cases on state law can only be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court if there is a substantive federal question involved in the case.