State and federal courts both have their functions in the United States legal system, which functions something like a two-in-one. Before the United States Constitution, every state had its own set of laws.

The American dual court system is like two railroads running side by side. State and federal courts both report to the highest court in the land—the United States Supreme Court. The plan is to distribute authority between the federal government and the individual states. The two primary categories of issues that courts handle are criminal and civil. In matters related to federal legislation or constitutional disputes, federal courts intervene. State courts deal with common issues such as family law violations, personal grievances, and legal disputes.

From its ancient colonial origins, the American legal system has developed into a complicated web. Navigating the kinks of American justice requires an understanding of its structure, problems, and the function of state laws.