What types of cases do federal courts have jurisdiction over?

Federal courts hold jurisdiction over cases that involve federal law and disputes between states due to their constitutional mandate. The U.S. Constitution grants federal courts the authority to hear cases arising under federal authority, which includes cases that interpret the Constitution, federal statutes, and treaties. This encompasses a wide range of issues, from federal regulatory matters to civil rights cases and more.

Additionally, federal courts are the appropriate venue for resolving disputes between states, as these types of cases often require impartiality and a level of authority that state courts may not be equipped to provide. The idea is to ensure that conflicts between states are handled fairly and consistently with national laws and standards.

In contrast, cases involving state laws typically fall within the jurisdiction of state courts unless there is a federal issue at stake. Cases involving international treaties usually also touch on federal law, but not all cases related to treaties may fall directly under federal jurisdiction. Finally, cases regarding local ordinances are also managed by local or state courts rather than federal courts, as they pertain to municipal laws rather than federal law.