It depends on the circumstance.If the issue in question (the issue that caused the appeal) is an error regarding state law, then the state supreme court would be the final appeal.If the issue in question is an error regarding federal law, then the case could potentially be appealed to the United States Supreme Court.For example:If the appeal is based on a misinterpretation of the elements of a crime, the issue is with the state government. If the trial judge convicted someone of burglary, when the elements of burglary were not met, the state supreme court would be the final appeal. This is because the crime of "Burglary" is based on state law. The federal court system does nothave the ability to interpret state laws.However, if the appeal is based on a violation of U.S law, the issue is with the U.S government. If the trial judge convicted someone of burglary, but the evidence was illegally obtained, the case could potentially be appealed to the United States Supreme Court. This is because the rules of evidence collection is based on federal law (The 4th and 14th Amendments to the U.S Constitution). The federal court system does have the ability to interpret Federal Laws (obviously).So, in the first example, the case would start out in a1. Trial Court (or a normal court)Then, could potentially be appealed to the2. State Appellate CourtAnd, afterward, may potentially be appealed (again) to the3. State Supreme CourtWhereas, in the second example, the case would start out in a1. Trial CourtThen, could potentially be appealed to the2. State Appellate CourtThen, potentially the3. State Supreme CourtAnd the final appeal could be toward the4. United States Supreme CourtHowever, keep in mind that these appeals are not automatically accepted. The appellate courts are certainly capable of rejecting the appeal.