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The Federal Process

Civil Cases

Federal Courts handle civil matters primarily when one of these circumstances emerges:

1.Someone sues the government,

2.The government sues someone,

3.A citizen of one state sues a citizen of another,

4.Redress of grievances is sought based on constitutional or federal safeguards,

5.Bankruptcy cases handled by bankruptcy courts.

When suits involve the government, either as plaintiff or defendant, or when federal law is involved, federal civil procedures are used at the trials. When cases involving citizens of different states are tried in federal court, the civil procedures of the states in which the trials are held are used if substantial rules exist -- that is, rules existing for special state purposes.