If the federal claim is dismissed before trial, what might happen to the state claim?

When a federal claim is dismissed before trial, the state claim may also be dismissed without prejudice, allowing the plaintiff the opportunity to refile the state claim in a state court if they choose to do so. This outcome is typically governed by the principle of supplemental jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1367. When a federal court dismisses a federal claim, it retains the discretion to decide whether to keep any associated state claims.

If the federal court chooses to dismiss the federal claim and does not have the basis for exercising supplemental jurisdiction over the state claim, it can dismiss the state claim without prejudice. This means the plaintiff has not lost the right to pursue the state claim in a different court, likely in state court, where the case may be more appropriately heard.

In contrast, if the state claim were dismissed with prejudice, it would bar the plaintiff from pursuing that claim again. The other options provided, such as automatic acceptance or staying the claim, do not accurately reflect the typical legal principles under which state claims operate when a federal claim is dismissed.

Understanding this principle is essential for navigating jurisdictional issues and the interactions between federal and state courts effectively.