Final answer:
A federal judge who owns stock in a company would be expected to recuse themselves from a case involving that company, thereby making the statement false. State cases likely reach federal courts when they involve a federal question, such as issues related to the Constitution, federal laws, or treaties.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the United States, a federal judge owning stock in a company would typically be expected to recuse themselves from a case involving that company due to a conflict of interest. Such conflicts could undermine the impartiality that is foundational to the judicial process. Therefore, the statement that a federal judge who owns stock in a company may hear a case involving that company is false.
A state case is more likely to be heard by the federal courts when it involves a federal question, such as when the case is related to the U.S. Constitution, federal law, or treaties. Additionally, if the case involves the United States government as a party, it would also be heard in federal court. Other instances in which a state case could be heard by federal courts include disputes with a foreign government, patent or copyright infringement, maritime law, and diversity of citizenship cases.