Jurisdiction means legal authority—who can arrest, charge, or try a defendant.
- Geographical: police power within boundaries (State Police statewide; county sheriffs countywide; local police town/village only).
- Subject Matter: which court hears which case (local = misdemeanors, county/supreme = felonies, federal = interstate/federal crimes).
If jurisdiction is lacking, charges may be invalid. Always ensure proper venue and authority in any criminal proceeding.