Jurisdiction

What Is Jurisdiction?

Jurisdiction is the threshold question in every lawsuit: does the court have the power to decide this case? Without proper jurisdiction, a judgment is void and may be challenged at any time. Two principal categories must be satisfied: subject matter jurisdiction (authority over the type of case) and personal jurisdiction (authority over the parties).

Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Federal courts have limited subject matter jurisdiction defined by Article III of the Constitution and federal statutes:

• **Federal question jurisdiction**: cases arising under federal law (28 U.S.C. § 1331) - **Diversity jurisdiction**: civil cases between citizens of different states with more than $75,000 in controversy (28 U.S.C. § 1332) - **Supplemental jurisdiction**: related state-law claims attached to a federal claim (28 U.S.C. § 1367) - **Specialized jurisdiction**: bankruptcy, admiralty, tax, patent, and other specific subject areas

State courts are courts of general jurisdiction and may hear nearly any type of case unless the matter is exclusively federal.

Personal Jurisdiction

Personal jurisdiction requires that the defendant have sufficient connections to the forum state to satisfy due process. Modern personal jurisdiction analysis follows International Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310 (1945), which established the minimum contacts test. General jurisdiction exists when the defendant is essentially at home in the state (typically the state of domicile, incorporation, or principal place of business). Specific jurisdiction exists when the lawsuit arises from the defendant's contacts with the forum. Long-arm statutes authorize courts to reach defendants beyond state borders within constitutional limits.