The United States Supreme Court has limited jurisdiction, and there are several types of cases that do not fall under its authority. Here are some examples of what the Supreme Court cannot handle:
- State Law Matters: The Supreme Court does not generally hear cases that are based solely on state law, unless there is a federal issue involved (such as constitutional violations). Cases that only involve state law are usually decided by state courts.
- Cases Involving Only State Courts: The Court does not have the authority to intervene in cases that are handled entirely within state court systems and do not involve federal law, the U.S. Constitution, or treaties.
- Political Questions: The Supreme Court typically avoids cases that involve political questions, meaning disputes between the executive and legislative branches or issues that are better handled by elected representatives rather than the judiciary.
- Issues of Impeachment: The process of impeachment, including the removal of a president or other federal officials, is a political process handled by the legislative branch, not the courts. The Supreme Court does not get involved in impeachment proceedings.
- Foreign Policy and Treaty Negotiations: The Court typically avoids cases that are directly related to foreign policy or international treaties, as these are matters for the executive branch.
- Discretionary Jurisdiction: The Supreme Court has "discretionary jurisdiction," meaning it can choose whether or not to hear most cases. If the Court decides not to hear a case, lower court rulings stand. Thus, the Supreme Court is not required to hear every case that is appealed to it.
- Cases Under Certain Types of Federal Jurisdiction: Some cases are designated to be heard only by lower federal courts, such as certain tax matters or cases involving federal agencies that are not subject to Supreme Court review.
The Court’s jurisdiction is primarily appellate, meaning it reviews decisions made by lower courts, rather than being the first to hear cases. It also has original jurisdiction in very specific cases, such as disputes between states or cases involving diplomats.
