Changes

A typical case begins at the local district court level, then goes on appeal to the Court of Appeals that supervises that district court.  After the Court of Appeals renders a decision, the losing party can petition the U.S. Supreme Court for its review of the decision.  The U.S. Supreme Court accepts only 1% of the requests for it to review case, and it renders about 75 decisions a year out of tens of thousands of decisions rendered by the other federal courts each year.

A typical case begins at the local district court level, then goes on appeal to the Court of Appeals that supervises that district court.  After the Court of Appeals renders a decision, the losing party can petition the U.S. Supreme Court for its review of the decision.  The U.S. Supreme Court accepts only 1% of the requests for it to review case, and it renders about 75 decisions a year out of tens of thousands of decisions rendered by the other federal courts each year.

In federal court, the plaintiff must have legal "standing" or else the case will be dismissed.  Federal courts are courts of '''''limited jurisdiction''''', which means that a plaintiff must prove that his case belongs in federal court, or else it will be dismissed.

In federal court, the plaintiff must have legal "standing" or else the case will be dismissed.  That is, the plaintiff must suffer an individual harm caused by the defendant, and the court must be able to grant relief that would redress that harm.  Federal courts are courts of '''''limited jurisdiction''''', which means that a plaintiff must prove that his case belongs in federal court, or else it will be dismissed.  Further, under the Constitution, federal courts can only decide an actual "case or controversy"; they cannot issue advisory opinions.

Valid reasons for suing in federal court include lawsuits based on rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or federal statutes (including federal prosecutions of crimes).  Legal standing also exists in federal court if the amount in dispute is substantial (more than $75,000) and the controversy is between citizens of different states ("diversity jurisdiction").<ref>28 USC § 1332(a).</ref>  Most other cases, including the prosecution of most crimes ("criminal cases") and most disputes between individuals ("civil cases"), are handled in state courts.

Valid reasons for suing in federal court include lawsuits based on rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or federal statutes (including federal prosecutions of crimes).  Legal standing also exists in federal court if the amount in dispute is substantial (more than $75,000) and the controversy is between citizens of different states ("diversity jurisdiction").<ref>28 USC § 1332(a).</ref>  Most other cases, including the prosecution of most crimes ("criminal cases") and most disputes between individuals ("civil cases"), are handled in state courts.