What is a major difference between state and federal courts in the United States?

A major difference between state and federal courts in the United States lies in their jurisdiction, which refers to the types of cases they have the authority to hear. State courts have broad jurisdiction, so they can hear a wide range of cases, including those involving state laws, family disputes, traffic violations, and contracts, among others. Essentially, unless a case is specifically designated for federal courts, it will typically be handled by state courts.

Federal courts, on the other hand, have a more limited jurisdiction. They primarily handle cases involving the constitutionality of a law, laws and treaties of the U.S., ambassadors and public ministers, disputes between two or more states, admiralty law, bankruptcy, and habeas corpus issues. Moreover, federal courts can hear cases if they involve a federal question (meaning it relates to the United States Constitution or federal laws and treaties) or if there is a diversity of citizenship, which means that the parties involved are from different states or countries and the amount at issue exceeds $75,000.

One of the frameworks that enable the existence of dual court systems in the U.S. is the principle of federalism, which allows states to retain powers not specifically assigned to the federal government by the Constitution. This includes maintaining their own judicial systems.

Understanding the dual court system in the U.S. involves recognizing how the country's political structure incorporates both federal and state levels of governance. The federal court system is headed by the U.S. Supreme Court, followed by the U.S. Courts of Appeals and the U.S. District Courts. Each state has its own court system, which can include various levels such as the state supreme court, appellate courts, and trial courts.

It is this separation of jurisdiction and the types of matters these courts deal with that underscore one of the foundational elements of American law: federalism. Federal courts are structured according to the powers granted in the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes, while state courts deal with a gamut of issues pertinent to their own state laws and matters not specifically claimed or preempted by federal legislation.

Another aspect of this differentiation is the concept of judicial federalism, where both systems are separate but interactive, with the possibility of cases moving from state to federal courts and vice versa, typically through the appeals process. An example of this interaction is when a case decided in a state court system is appealed up to the U.S. Supreme Court, particularly if there's a question of constitutional rights or federal law.