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 Nebraska, subject matter jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear and decide cases of a specific nature. The Nebraska Constitution, along with state statutes, outlines the scope of subject matter jurisdiction for various courts within the state. For instance, the Nebraska Supreme Court has general appellate jurisdiction, while the Nebraska District Courts have general original jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases, meaning they can hear a wide range of cases. On the other hand, certain courts, like the Nebraska County Courts, have limited jurisdiction and are designated to handle specific types of cases, such as misdemeanors, small claims, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Additionally, federal laws and the U.S. Constitution may confer subject matter jurisdiction to federal courts for certain cases, such as those involving federal law, disputes between states, or cases where the United States is a party. It is important for a court to have proper subject matter jurisdiction to render a legally enforceable judgment; otherwise, the judgment could be challenged and potentially deemed invalid.