If a state court’s decision resolves a federal constitutional question solely on federal law grounds, what is the proper course for the United States Supreme Court?

If a state court’s decision resolves a federal constitutional question solely on federal law grounds, what is the proper course for the United States Supreme Court?

• A. Review the federal issue on the merits.
• B. Decline to review if the ruling rests entirely on federal grounds.
• C. Dismiss for lack of jurisdiction.
• D. Remand to consider state grounds.

Answer: (A)

When a state court resolves a federal constitutional question solely on federal-law grounds, the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to review that federal issue on the merits. Since there are no independent state grounds to uphold the judgment, the federal question is central to the outcome, and the proper path is for the Supreme Court to grant certiorari and decide the constitutional issue applying federal standards. Declining review, dismissal for lack of jurisdiction, or remanding to consider state grounds would be inappropriate here because the ruling rests entirely on federal law and there is no state-ground basis to return to.

When a state court resolves a federal constitutional question solely on federal-law grounds, the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to review that federal issue on the merits. Since there are no independent state grounds to uphold the judgment, the federal question is central to the outcome, and the proper path is for the Supreme Court to grant certiorari and decide the constitutional issue applying federal standards. Declining review, dismissal for lack of jurisdiction, or remanding to consider state grounds would be inappropriate here because the ruling rests entirely on federal law and there is no state-ground basis to return to.