Paralegal 101 Practice Test

Federal question jurisdiction is the authority of federal courts to hear cases arising under federal law, including the Constitution, federal statutes, or treaties. This means a case can fall under federal jurisdiction if the claim involves a federal issue, regardless of the parties’ citizenship or the amount in controversy. This power is provided by 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and is what lets federal courts adjudicate matters that hinge on federal law. Removal is a procedural option that lets a case move from state court to federal court, not the basis for the court’s power to hear federal-law issues. Diversity jurisdiction is another route for federal jurisdiction based on complete diversity of citizenship and a sufficient amount in controversy. Concurrent jurisdiction refers to situations where both state and federal courts could hear the same type of case, not the specific power to hear federal-law questions.