Local Courts

There are many different types of local courts:

• A municipal court handles violations of city ordinances-everything from traffic tickets to disorderly conduct cases.
• Small claims courts are civil courts created to resolve disputes between individuals without the necessity of a lawyer. These courts cannot hear cases that involve more than $2,000 to $5,000 in money or property.
• Juvenile courts hear cases where minors have committed offenses.
• Justice of the peace courts exist to adjudicate certain matters, such as evictions.

Verdicts in local courts are generally appealable to the state trial court.