Removal describes which situation?

• A. If a case is originally filed in state court and federal jurisdiction exists, the defendant may remove to federal court
• B. The plaintiff can remove if they want to
• C. The case is automatically removed by the judge
• D. The court can merge jurisdictions

Answer: (A)

Removal is the procedure by which a defendant may transfer a case filed in state court to federal court when federal jurisdiction exists. This reflects the rule that removal is a defendant’s option, available only when the case could have been filed originally in federal court due to federal question or complete diversity with the amount in controversy. It is not automatic and not decided by the judge on its own; the defendant must timely file a notice of removal in both state and federal courts, after which the federal court can proceed if jurisdiction is proper. The idea of the court automatically removing a case or merging jurisdictions does not fit removal, since jurisdiction remains distinct and a case is moved, not merged.