An Introduction to District Courts
District courts handle small claims, landlord-tenant cases, general civil claims, civil infractions, and criminal cases.
The small claims division handles cases worth less than $3,000. Neither party is represented by a lawyer. There is no appeal.
Landlord-tenant cases involve disputes between landlords and tenants, usually for failure to pay rent. These cases can involve residential or commercial leases.
The general civil division deal with civil claims under $25,000. These cases can involve dog bites, nuisance cases, auto accidents, commercial disputes, or almost any other kind of civil case. The parties may be represented by a lawyer.
Civil infractions include things like parking tickets or ordinance violations that used to be crimes. Typically, civil infractions involve paying a fine, but may include another penalty, like points on your driving record.
The criminal division handles misdemeanor cases. It also conducts arraignments and preliminary hearings for felony cases.
Any appeal from a district court judgment is to the circuit court.
The district court is considered a court of limited jurisdiction, which means that the court is restricted in the types of cases and the dollar value sought as damages for a case. A court of limited jurisdiction has no power to hear or decide cases outside of its jurisdiction.
You can learn more about your district court by checking out this link to district courts' websites.
Note: Updated April 16, 2006.
