Final answer:
The choice between federal or state court systems is dependent on the case's jurisdiction, primarily determined by whether the case involves a federal question or constitutional rights, or inter-state disputes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Choosing between the federal or state court system depends on the jurisdiction involved in the case. A state case is more likely to be heard by the federal courts when it involves a federal question. This includes cases that touch upon constitutional rights, federal statutes, or treaties. State courts serve as the foundation for the majority of legal matters, including most crimes and civil issues. However, any case that invokes the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, disputes between states, controversies involving foreign governments, or certain diversity of citizenship cases where the parties are from different states or countries and the claimed damages exceed $75,000, falls under the jurisdiction of the federal courts. Additionally, cases may start in state courts and then advance to the federal level on appeal if a federal question is involved, typically after all state appellate remedies have been exhausted.