What distinguishes the u. s. supreme court from a state supreme court? state supreme courts have rulings that can be overturned, while u. s. supreme court rulings are final. state supreme courts have limited jurisdiction on the types of cases they can rule on, while the jurisdiction of the u. s. supreme court is unlimited. state supreme courts cannot rule on cases involving personal rights, while the u. s. supreme court can. the u. s. supreme court must hear all appeals cases, while state supreme courts chose the cases they hear.

What distinguishes the U.S. Supreme Court from a state supreme court is that state supreme courts have ruling that can be overturned, while U.S. Supreme Court rulings are final.

The Supreme Court is the only court established by the Constitution of the United States. All other courts have been created by Congress. The Court has the power of judicial review and the power to declare unconstitutional federal or state laws and acts of the federal and state executive powers. Its decisions can not be appealed.  On the contrary, some state supreme court decisions can be appelled to the U.S. Supreme Court.