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Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

Subject matter jurisdiction defines a court’s power to decide a lawsuit involving a particular subject matter, and to render an enforceable judgment. A court generally has jurisdiction when the particular claim raised in the case is within its constitutional jurisdiction—as provided by the state constitution or the U.S. Constitution—or because jurisdiction has been mandated by the state legislature or the United States Congress.

In Missouri, subject matter jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear cases of a specific nature. The Missouri Constitution and various state statutes outline the jurisdiction of different courts within the state. For example, circuit courts have general jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters, while probate matters are typically handled by probate divisions within the circuit courts. Additionally, specialized courts like family courts or drug courts may have jurisdiction over specific types of cases as defined by state law. Federal law also plays a role, as federal courts have jurisdiction over certain matters, such as cases involving federal statutes, the U.S. Constitution, or disputes between states. It is important for a court to have proper subject matter jurisdiction to render a legally binding decision. If a court lacks jurisdiction, any judgment or order it issues could be deemed invalid.

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Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

As a LegalFix Member You Will Be an Important Client of Local Law Firms

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Missouri State Code

Missouri State Code

Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

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