The Legal System
Sources of the Law
The Court System
Local Courts
State Trial Courts
State Appellate Courts
State Supreme Courts
U.S. District Courts
U.S. Appellate Courts
U.S. Supreme Court
Other Federal Courts
Administrative Courts and Hearings
Selecting a Lawyer
Alternatives to Trial
Civil Cases
Filing a Lawsuit
Trials
Collecting Judgments
Causes of Action
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.