Final answer:
Chancery and Circuit Courts have concurrent jurisdiction over civil matters, but their differences lie in the historical context and types of cases they originally heard. Both state and federal courts can hear both civil and criminal cases, depending on the nature of the law involved and jurisdictional specifics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chancery and Circuit Courts typically have concurrent jurisdiction over a wide range of civil matters. Essentially, this means they can both hear and decide on the same types of cases. Historically, the circuit courts began as trial courts in the federal system, handling both federal criminal cases and some types of civil suits. This included cases initiated by the United States or involving parties from different states. They also had appellate jurisdiction over cases from federal district courts. Now, their appellate jurisdiction has been transferred to the U.S. courts of appeals.
When it comes to criminal cases, federal courts are usually involved in matters pertaining to federal law, while most state law violations, such as robbery or murder, are handled by state courts. State courts, which form the core of the U.S. judicial system, also primarily deal with civil law issues like personal injury cases or divorce proceedings. Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over certain matters, such as cases involving foreign governments or interstate commerce.
Cases can exist with concurrent jurisdiction, meaning they can be tried in either state or federal court, such as those involving diverse citizenship where the claimed damages exceed $75,000. Ultimately, the correct answer to the question on whether both state and federal courts hear matters that involve both civil and criminal law is 'c. both civil and criminal law'.