State court (United States) | Wikipedia audio article
Channel: Subhajit Sahu
Date: 2018-11-18

In the United States, a state court has jurisdiction over disputes with some connection to a U.S. state, as opposed to the federal government. State courts handle the vast majority of civil and criminal cases in the United States; United States federal courts handle different types of cases.
Generally, state courts are common law courts, and apply their respective state laws and procedures to decide cases.  They are organized pursuant to and apply the law in accordance with their state's constitution, state statutes, and binding decisions of courts in their state court hierarchy.  Where applicable, they also apply federal law.  Generally, a single judicial officer, usually called a judge, exercises original jurisdiction by presiding over contested criminal or civil actions which culminate in trials.  The decisions of lower courts may be reviewed by a panel of a state court of appeals (known as a "court of appeal" in three states).  Generally, there is a state supreme court that oversees the court system.  In matters that involve issues of federal law, the final decision of a state supreme court (including refusals to hear final appeals) may be appealed to the United States Supreme Court (which also has the discretion to refuse to hear them).