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Simple English definitions for legal terms
certification to state court
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A quick definition of certification to state court:
Definition: Certification to state court is when a federal court asks the highest court in a state to answer a new question of state law. This helps the federal court make a decision without making a mistake or causing confusion. A certified check is a type of check that guarantees payment, and a certified copy is a copy of a document that has been verified as true and accurate.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Certification to state court is a process where a federal court of appeals delays making a decision on a new question of state law by sending the question to the highest court of the state for a ruling. This is also known as certification.
Example: If a federal court of appeals is unsure how to interpret a new state law, it may certify the question to the highest court of the state. For instance, if a federal court in California is unsure how to interpret a new California law, it may send the question to the California Supreme Court for clarification.
This process allows the federal court to avoid making a decision that could conflict with the state's interpretation of its own law. It also helps to ensure consistency in the interpretation of state law across different federal courts.