How can a court invalidate a state statute?

A court can invalidate a state statute primarily by declaring it unconstitutional or ruling that it is preempted by federal law. When a court determines that a state statute violates a constitutional provision, either at the federal or state level, it can strike down the statute, rendering it unenforceable. This process involves judicial review, which is a critical function of the courts to ensure that all laws comply with higher legal standards, particularly the Constitution.

Additionally, preemption occurs when federal law supersedes state law, meaning that if there is a conflict between a federal statute and a state statute, and Congress has intended to occupy the field or the federal law is so comprehensive that it leaves no room for state regulation, then the state statute can be invalidated. Both the declaration of unconstitutionality and the finding of preemption reflect the courts' role in maintaining the supremacy of constitutional and federal law over conflicting state laws.

The other options do not appropriately describe how a court can invalidate a statute. Creating a new statute is not a role of the courts but rather the legislative branch. Ignoring the statute does not provide a formal means of invalidation and does not carry the legal weight required to nullify a law. Thus, the option encompassing both declaring a statute unconstitutional