Legal Definitions - federal question

Definition: A legal issue or dispute that can be resolved in a United States federal court because it involves U.S Constitutional law, federal statutory law, a treaty, or international law. If a lawsuit involves a federal question, it can be heard in a federal district court.

For example, if a person sues the federal government for violating their constitutional rights, that would be considered a federal question. Another example would be a case involving a dispute over a federal law or regulation.

If a lawsuit is filed in state court but involves a federal question, any defendant can request that the case be moved to a federal court.

Related terms:

• CIVICS
• Diversity jurisdiction
• Federal court
• Federal jurisdiction
• Federal preemption of state law
• Jurisdiction
• Subject matter jurisdiction
• 28 U.S.C § 1331
• 28 U.S.C § 1441