Most criminal and civil cases are heard in state rather than federal courts.

Evidence

When a person is charged with violating a state criminal statute, the case is heard in state court. Most criminal statutes are state statutes, and more than 98 percent of criminal prosecutions occur in state courts. State courts also have exclusive jurisdiction when a civil case involves only state law and the parties to the case are each citizens of the same state. Because the vast majority of civil cases have that character, they likewise are heard in state courts. — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 288

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the earlier point that the U.S. has fifty-one separate constitutions: state courts handle most of the nation’s litigation volume. — connects to: Federal jurisdiction can rest on subject matter, party identity, or party citizenship. — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 287; Most ordinary crimes are punished by states, not the federal government — Lawrence M. Friedman and Grant M. Hayden, American Law: An Introduction, 784; Most cases stay within their initiating state or federal judicial system — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 218 (+2 more)