text: what is ithe definition of state courts? what does it mean in the u.s., a state court has jurisdiction over disputes which occur in a state. cases are heard and evidence presented in a trial court, usually located in a courthouse in the county seat.  if one of the litigants is unsatisfied with the decision of the lower court, the matter may be taken on appeal (but an acquittal in a criminal trial may not be appealed due to the fifth amendment protection against double jeopardy). an intermediate appellate court, often called the state court of appeals, will review the decision of the trial court. if still unsatisfied, the litigant can appeal to the highest appellate court in the state, usually called the state supreme court.