How does the federal court system decide which criminal cases to take?

Question

They take cases that have already seen state courts.
They take cases that have already seen state courts.

A grand jury decides if each case has merit.
A grand jury decides if each case has merit.

They take cases that are being appealed.
They take cases that are being appealed.

A Supreme Court justice decides which cases should be addressed.

Answer 1

The federal court system typically decides to take cases based on a few key principles:

1. Federal Jurisdiction: Federal courts handle cases that involve federal laws, constitutional issues, disputes between states, and cases involving citizens from different states (diversity jurisdiction).

2. Appeals: The federal system often deals with appeals. Cases that have already been decided in lower courts (either state or federal) may be appealed to the federal courts, particularly if they involve significant legal questions or issues of constitutional interpretation.

3. Supreme Court Discretion: The U.S. Supreme Court has the discretion to choose which cases it will hear, primarily through the writ of certiorari process. Typically, the Court accepts cases that involve important legal questions, conflicts among different lower courts, or significant constitutional issues.

Thus, the correct statement regarding the federal court system's decision on which criminal cases to take is that they take cases that are being appealed.

Answer 2

is dis 100% true?

Answer 3

While the statement that "they take cases that are being appealed" is generally accurate, it's not completely exhaustive of the process. Here are additional points to clarify:

1. Federal Jurisdiction: Federal courts take cases that involve federal laws, constitutional issues, cases involving citizens from different states, and certain specialized areas (like maritime law or bankruptcy). Therefore, not all cases that reach federal court have been previously decided in state courts.

2. Original Jurisdiction: Some federal courts, such as U.S. District Courts, have original jurisdiction, meaning they can hear cases first before they are appealed. For example, certain federal crimes are prosecuted directly in federal courts.

3. Supreme Court's Role: The U.S. Supreme Court hears appeals, but it has significant discretion. It typically doesn't hear every case; it selects cases based on factors like national importance, conflicting circuit court decisions, or significant constitutional or federal law questions.

4. Grand Juries: While grand juries play a role in the federal indictment process for felonies, they do not decide whether a case is taken up by the federal court system; they determine whether there is enough evidence to formally charge a defendant.

So, while the idea that federal courts take cases on appeal is largely correct, it's essential to recognize that not all cases in federal court come from appeals, and other factors and forms of jurisdiction also play significant roles. Therefore, saying it's "100% true" would be an oversimplification.