Federal Courts Vs State Courts Essay

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How are federal courts of general jurisdiction different from state courts of general jurisdiction? State courts deal with every day cases dealing with state laws and regulations. They can vary from criminal procedures in civil or family cases, to lower offenses, such as parking tickets. They tend to be specific to the laws of each state, as the state is allowed to form their own set of laws to keep their residents “free and treat them equally”. Federal courts on the other hand, hear criminal that violate the US Constitution and/or cases that cross state lines , along with civil cases or bankruptcy cases. Both courts have appellate courts and interprets the laws (either state or federal laws). Federal court is more selective on the cases it …show more content…

If you have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide, do you think the police should be allowed to search your home or your car, listen to your phone calls, read through your email, stop you on the street and question you? Why or why not? No- people get their personal emails, property such as car, houses, cellphone, etc. because we value our privacy. Our actions or possessions may be misinterpreted and could get us in trouble with the law. For example: we can be upset with someone and can say something offensive or aggressive due to the anger at the time, but are we willing to act on it? If the police hear me, could I be charged with slander? How would I be able to prove my anger took control over my thoughts and made me say things that might not be true (mens rea). How can I prove I did not really meant harm, but was acting by impulse due to the anger? The burden to prove all that is on me, not the state. The government can use its power to make me uncomfortable; therefore taking my liberty away. It will fail its purpose to make their citizens free; instead will be threatened by simply speaking. The constitution is based on liberty and the pursuit of happiness. How can you be free and happy if you are watch on every step you

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