AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) Practice Test

True or False: State courts are independent of federal courts.

1. True

2. False

3. Only in civil cases

4. Only in criminal cases

The correct answer is: True

State courts operate independently from federal courts, each having its own jurisdiction and responsibilities. This independence is rooted in the dual court system established by the U.S. Constitution, which allows states to create their own court systems to handle local matters while federal courts deal with federal law and issues. The state courts have their own sets of rules, procedures, and case law that can differ significantly from federal courts. While federal courts can have overlapping jurisdiction for certain issues, particularly in areas where both federal and state laws apply, state courts are inherently separate entities. This structure ensures that states can address their local issues and interpret their own laws without federal oversight, except in cases where constitutional issues arise that may bring a federal interest to bear. Therefore, the statement that state courts are independent of federal courts is accurate.