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Are all state Supreme Courts bound by decisions of federal district/appeals courts in their same jurisdiction, or just bound by United States Supreme Court decisions?
Are all state Supreme Courts bound by decisions of federal district/appeals courts in their same jurisdiction, or just bound by United States Supreme Court decisions?
I say NO.
What say the gallery?
The name say's it all, The United States Supreme Court.
It is supreme for a reason.
The Supremacy Clause is not specific to the courts, it affects state legislatures also. All it says is that Federal law takes precedence over state laws. So no court, either Federal or State, at any level, can issue a legal finding that would put a State law in conflict with Federal law.
If there is no conflict of Federal law with state law, the State Supreme Court is the final authority and there is no further appeal possible and neither SCOTUS or the Federal Appeals courts can affect the state law. But if there is conflict, in particular, if the state law being reviewed by a state supreme court is possibly in conflict with the US Constitution, than this meets the requirement for the Federal courts to review it and possibly overturn a state law.
So, for instance when SCOTUS found that same-sex marriage is protected right, the Supremacy Clause makes that over-ride any state laws that banned it. Likewise, no state can pass a law, nor can a state court make a finding, that is more restrictive than the Heller finding that said that hand guns are allowed under the Second Amendment.
Last edited by TwoByFour; 01-09-2020 at 12:20 AM..
Are all state Supreme Courts bound by decisions of federal district/appeals courts in their same jurisdiction, or just bound by United States Supreme Court decisions?
I say NO.
What say the gallery?
It depends.
The purpose of federal courts is to answer federal questions. If it is not a federal question, then it has no bearing on State supreme courts or lower courts in the State.
Federal courts have another function, and that is to resolve disputes when there is a diversity of citizenship.
Diversity of citizenship occurs when the plaintiff and defendant reside in different States and the damages exceed $75,000. Generally, the federal court applies the laws and case-law of the State in which it is located.
Federal courts have jurisdiction when the United States is plaintiff/defendant.
Also, concurrent jurisdiction.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act are two good examples. You have a choice of filing in State or federal court. However, if you file in State court, be aware that the defendant has the option of removing the case to a federal court.
The Supremacy Clause is that which derives from Constitutional law and sets forth that three distinct areas of legislation be at the forefront. It states that the Constitution, Federal statutes, and United States treaties encompass the “supreme law of the land”, therefore making them the highest areas of law possible within the legal system of America. Additionally, the Supremacy Clause maintains that State legislatures assume, in one way or another, the guidelines and procedures set forth by the Federal Government. This is due to the presentation of two issues that stem from State and Federal conflict. These include Congress’ surpassing of its original authority as well as its overall intent in going over that of State policy.
A case that highlighted such issues of Federal law presuming power over State action is that of Pennsylvania v. Nelson. In this case, the Supreme Court instituted qualifications for when the Government does encroach upon the rule of states, even when absent of apparent intent. These include that the Federal law is so extensive that states may not be able to adequately supplement it, the fact of the “Federal interest’s dominance,” and whether “State law” is in so much of a contrast to the Federal administration that it may only do harm to it.
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