Final answer:
Federal civil subject matter jurisdiction includes federal question jurisdiction, diversity jurisdiction, and special federal jurisdiction. Federal courts can hear cases involving federal law, parties from different states or nations, and particular subject matters like international trade or claims against the federal government.
Step-by-step explanation:
Types of Federal Civil Subject Matter Jurisdiction
The federal courts in the United States have authority to hear cases that fall within certain specified categories of civil subject matter jurisdiction. Subject matter jurisdiction refers to the power of a court to hear particular types of cases.
Federal Question Jurisdiction
Cases invoking the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, or treaties represent the first type of federal civil subject matter jurisdiction, known as federal question jurisdiction. It means any dispute involving the interpretation or application of federal law may be heard by the federal courts. This could be anything from an employment discrimination lawsuit to a securities fraud case, as long as it involves a federal question.
Diversity Jurisdiction
The second type is diversity jurisdiction, where parties involved in the dispute are from different states or nations, and the claimed damages exceed $75,000. This jurisdiction exists to prevent state courts from being biased in favor of their own citizens in disputes with outsiders. A common example is a personal injury case involving parties from different states.
Special Federal Jurisdiction
In addition to the general federal courts, such as the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Courts, and U.S. Courts of Appeals, there are special federal courts with national jurisdiction. For instance, the U.S. Court of International Trade hears cases about customs and trade, while the U.S. Court of Federal Claims deals with monetary claims against the federal government.
Lastly, it is essential to note that both state and federal courts can hear both civil and criminal matters, so the same issue might be litigated across both judicial systems. However, certain types of cases, such as patent or copyright infringement, Native American rights, and bankruptcy, are almost exclusively heard in federal courts due to their particular subject matter.