Case Overviews

Capron v. Van Noorden (S.Ct. 1804)

Facts:

Capron brought an action in federal court without either raising a federal question, or alleging diversity of citizenship.

Issue:

May an action in federal court be successfully challenged on appeal on the grounds that neither diversity of citizenship nor a federal question exist?

Rule:

Where federal questions are not at issue and diversity of citizenship does not exist, a federal court does not have jurisdiction to hear a case and a judgment of the federal court must be reversed on appeal.