Glossary
Subject matter jurisdiction
A court's authority to hear a particular type of case. State courts generally have broad subject matter jurisdiction; federal courts have limited subject matter jurisdiction defined by the Constitution and Congress.
In federal court, subject matter jurisdiction usually requires either a federal-law claim ("federal question" jurisdiction) or that the parties are from different states and the amount in dispute exceeds $75,000 ("diversity" jurisdiction). Without one of these, the federal court has no power to decide the case.
State courts of general jurisdiction can hear almost anything: most cases not specifically reserved for federal court can be brought in state court, including many federal-law claims.
Subject matter jurisdiction can never be waived. Even if both parties agree they want a court to decide a case, the court can dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction at any time.