County checks cover local court records; state checks include statewide repositories; federal checks relate to federal courts; international checks may involve records from multiple countries.
County Background Checks:
These investigations primarily concentrate on records preserved by county courthouses, generally encompassing cases managed by local judges and law enforcement agencies within the county.
State Background Checks:
These examinations employ statewide databases, which may amalgamate records from various county courts throughout the state and can also incorporate information from state agencies and departments.
Federal Background Checks:
Federal background investigations assess records related to federal courts, including infringements of federal law prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
International Background Checks:
These evaluations may necessitate accessing records from multiple countries, potentially incorporating information from international criminal justice agencies or databases.
Plaintiffs in civil cases have the option to file claims in either federal or state courts, contingent upon the nature of the case. Federal courts are responsible for adjudicating cases that involve federal questions or significant monetary disputes between parties from different states, including those in Cook County. Conversely, state courts predominantly address cases that pertain to state law, personal injury, contractual matters, and property disputes.
Federal Court Jurisdiction:
Federal courts possess limited jurisdiction, meaning they can adjudicate only those cases that meet specific criteria. These criteria include matters involving the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, or disputes between parties from different states where the claims exceed $75,000.
State Court Jurisdiction:
In contrast, state courts have general jurisdiction, allowing them to hear a wide range of cases, including those related to state law, personal injury, contract disputes, and property matters.
Illinois Courts:
Cook County, which houses the city of Chicago, operates its own state courts dedicated to resolving various civil cases, encompassing the aforementioned types.
