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Simple English definitions for legal terms
adequate and independent state grounds
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A quick definition of adequate and independent state grounds:
Adequate and independent state grounds is a rule that the Supreme Court follows when deciding whether to hear a case from a state court. If the state court's decision was based on non-federal reasons that are strong enough to support the decision, the Supreme Court will not take the case. However, if the state court's decision was based on federal reasons that were overturned, the Supreme Court may hear the case.
A more thorough explanation:
Adequate and independent state grounds is a term used by the Supreme Court to decide whether or not to hear a case from a state court. The Supreme Court will only hear a case if the state court decision was based on federal grounds and was overturned. If the state court decision was based on nonfederal grounds that are adequate and independent, the Supreme Court will not hear the case.
In the case of Republican Nat. Committee v. Burton, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case because the state court decision was based on adequate and independent nonfederal grounds. This means that the state court decision was not based on federal law and was sufficient on its own.
For example, if a state court decision was based on a state law that was not in conflict with federal law, the Supreme Court would not hear the case because the state law was adequate and independent.