Hans v. Louisiana
United States Supreme Court
134 U.S. 1 (1890)
Relevant factsFree
Hans (plaintiff), a Louisiana citizen, sued the State of Louisiana (defendant) in federal circuit court to recover interest on state-issued bonds, alleging a state constitutional amendment barring payment of that interest violated the U.S. Constitution. The circuit court dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, and Hans appealed to the Supreme Court.
IssueFree
Whether a state may be sued in federal court by one of its own citizens when the cause of action arises under federal law.