50-State Criminal Justice Debt Reform Builder Bringing transparency to areas of significant legal complexity.
Structure of Courts
Keyword search across all of the laws in the states. Subject-area tabs above allow you to narrow results. Click the advanced search for further refinement.
Every law can be saved to the Reform Builder
See conflicts of interest policy recommendations in CJPP’s Policy Guide
Function
Below are all of the laws that govern the structure of courts that match your search criteria.
110 Results
| State | Statute | Description/Statute Name | Statutory language | Court/legal body | Function | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Delaware | Del. Const. Art. IV, § 28 | Criminal Jurisdiction of Inferior Courts and Justices of the Peace; Regulation of Jurisdiction; Indictment; Jury Trial; Appeals |
The General Assembly may by law give to any inferior courts by it established or to be established, or to one or more justices of the peace, jurisdiction of the criminal matters following, that is to say--assaults and batteries, carrying concealed a deadly weapon, disturbing meetings held for the purpose of religious worship, nuisances, and such other misdemeanors as the General Assembly may from time to time, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members elected to each House, prescribe. The General Assembly may by law regulate this jurisdiction, and provide that the proceedings shall be with or without indictment by grand jury, or trial by petit jury, and may grant or deny the privilege of appeal to the Superior Court; provided, however, that there shall be an appeal to the Superior Court in all cases in which the sentence shall be imprisonment exceeding one (1) month, or a fine exceeding One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).
|
Lower state courts | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Delaware | 10 Del. C. § 9301 | Civil Jurisdiction; Amount in Controversy |
Unless otherwise specified by law, the Justice of the Peace Court shall have civil jurisdiction over the following: (1) Common-law actions in contract, express or implied, and common-law actions in tort for damage, destruction or taking of personal property (including replevin), for injury to real property, and for trespass on the land. Jurisdiction over such actions shall be limited to actions in which the matter in demand, damage claimed, or the value of the property whose return is sought does not exceed $15,000. A penalty in any contract exceeding that sum shall not exclude it from this jurisdiction if the sum actually due thereon is within it. The interest also due on any cause of action within this jurisdiction may be added, although the judgment, with interest so added, exceeds $15,000. (2) Actions for any penalty or forfeiture incurred under the provisions of any statute, bylaw or ordinance authorized by statute when the matter in demand does not exceed $15,000. The interest also due on any such cause of action may be added, although the judgment, with interest so added, exceeds $15,000. (3) Summary possession actions as provided in Chapter 57 of Title 25. (4) Distress for rent actions as provided in Chapter 63 of Title 25. (5) Truancy actions as provided in Chapter 27 of Title 14. Except as otherwise provided in Chapter 27 of Title 14, the Justice of the Peace Court shall have original exclusive jurisdiction of such actions. (6) Any other civil jurisdiction provided by law.
|
Justice of the Peace Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Maine | Me. Rev. Stat. tit 4 § 7 | General jurisdiction; control of records |
The Supreme Judicial Court may exercise its jurisdiction according to the common law not inconsistent with the Constitution or any statute, and may punish contempts against its authority by fine and imprisonment, or either, and administer oaths. It has general superintendence of all inferior courts for the prevention and correction of errors and abuses where the law does not expressly provide a remedy and has control of all records and documents in the custody of its clerks. Whenever justice or the public good requires, it may order the expunging from the records and papers on file in any case which has gone to judgment of any name or other part thereof unnecessary to the purpose and effect of said judgment. It may issue all writs and processes, not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court, necessary for the furtherance of justice or the execution of the laws in the name of the State under the seal of said court, attested by any justice not a party or interested in the suit and signed by the clerk.
|
Supreme Judicial Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Maine | Me. Rev. Stat. tit 4 § 114 | Authority of court |
The Superior Court may administer all necessary oaths, render judgment and issue execution, punish for contempt and compel attendance; and the provisions of law relative to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Judicial Court in each of said counties over parties, the arrest of persons, attachment of property, the time and mode of service of precepts, proceedings in court, the taxation of costs, the rendition of judgments, the issuing, service and return of executions and all other subjects apply to the Superior Court in all respects, except so far as they are modified by law, and the Superior Court is clothed with all the powers necessary for the performance of all its duties.
|
Superior Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Maine | Me. Rev. Stat. tit 15 § 1(1) | Superior Court; criminal jurisdiction |
The Superior Court has original jurisdiction, exclusive or concurrent, of all crimes. |
Superior Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Maine | Me. Rev. Stat. tit 4 § 165(1),(3) | District court jurisdiction |
1. Crimes; Under One Year Imprisonment. The District Court has jurisdiction and, except as provided in Title 29-A, section 2602, concurrent jurisdiction with the Superior Court of all crimes, including violation of any statute or a bylaw of a town, village corporation or local health officer and breach of the peace, for which the maximum term of imprisonment to which the defendant may be sentenced upon conviction of that crime is less than one year.
3. Crimes; One Year or More Imprisonment. The District Court has, concurrent with the Superior Court, original jurisdiction to receive pleas of guilty in criminal cases, other than murder, in which: A. The maximum term of imprisonment to which the defendant may be sentenced upon conviction of that crime is one year or more; B. The defendant has in writing waived the defendant's right to indictment by grand jury and the defendant's right to a jury trial; and C. The defendant has indicated the defendant's intention to enter a plea of guilty to the charges pending against the defendant. When exercising such jurisdiction, the District Court possesses all of the powers of the Superior Court. The District Court shall exercise that jurisdiction in the manner that the Supreme Judicial Court by rule provides. Any person sentenced under this subsection is entitled to the rights provided by Title 15, chapter 306-A. |
District Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Maine | Me. Rev. Stat. tit 4 § 8 | Power to prescribe general rules |
The Supreme Judicial Court has the power to prescribe, by general rules, for the Probate, District and Superior Courts of Maine, the forms of process, writs, pleadings and motions and the practice and procedure in civil actions at law. Said rules may neither abridge, enlarge nor modify the substantive rights of any litigant. They take effect on such date not less than 6 months after their promulgation as the Supreme Judicial Court may fix. After their promulgation the Supreme Judicial Court may repeal, amend, modify or add to them from time to time with or without a waiting period. After the effective date of said rules as promulgated or amended, all laws in conflict therewith are of no further force or effect.
|
Supreme Judicial Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Maine | Me. Rev. Stat. tit 4 § 421 | Establishment |
The Judicial Department may establish alcohol and drug treatment programs in the Superior Courts and District Courts and may adopt administrative orders and court rules to govern the practice, procedure and administration of these programs. Alcohol and drug treatment programs must include local judges and must be community based and operated separately from juvenile drug courts.
|
Alcohol and drug treatment court | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Maine | Me. Rev. Stat. tit 4 § 431 | Mental health treatment courts |
The Judicial Department may seek and receive grants to establish mental health treatment courts. |
Mental health treatment courts | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Maine | Me. Rev. Stat. tit 4 § 433(2) | Veterans treatment courts |
Chief Justice may establish. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court may establish veterans treatment courts for veterans and members of the United States Armed Forces. The Supreme Judicial Court may adopt administrative orders and court rules of practice and procedure as necessary.
|
Veterans treatment courts | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Maine | M.R.S.A. Const. Art. 6, § 1 | Courts |
The judicial power of this State shall be vested in a Supreme Judicial Court, and such other courts as the Legislature shall from time to time establish. |
Courts generally | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
North Dakota | N.D. Const. art. VI, § 1 | Courts, generally |
The judicial power of the state is vested in a unified judicial system consisting of a supreme court, a district court, and such other courts as may be provided by + See morelaw.
|
Courts generally | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
North Dakota | N.D. Const. art. VI, § 2 | Supreme Court |
The supreme court shall be the highest court of the state. It shall have appellate jurisdiction, and shall also have original jurisdiction with authority to issue, hear, and determine such + See moreoriginal and remedial writs as may be necessary to properly exercise its jurisdiction. The supreme court shall consist of five justices, one of whom shall be designated chief justice in the manner provided by law.
|
Supreme Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
North Dakota | N.D. Const. art. VI, § 8 | District Courts |
The district court shall have original jurisdiction of all causes, except as otherwise provided by law, and such appellate jurisdiction as may be provided by law or by rule of + See morethe supreme court. The district court shall have authority to issue such writs as are necessary to the proper exercise of its jurisdiction.
|
District Courts | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
North Dakota | N.D. Const. art. VI, § 9 | District Courts | The state shall be divided into judicial districts by order of the supreme court. . . . | District Courts | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
North Dakota | N.D. Cent. Code § 27-02-04 | Supreme Court |
The supreme court may exercise appellate jurisdiction only, except when otherwise specially provided by law or by the constitution. Such court, in the exercise of its original jurisdiction, may issue + See morewrits of habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto, certiorari, and injunction. In the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction, and in its superintending control over inferior courts, it may issue such original and remedial writs as are necessary to the proper exercise of such jurisdiction. Such court shall exercise its original jurisdiction only in habeas corpus cases and in such cases of strictly public concern as involve questions affecting the sovereign rights of this state or its franchises or privileges.
|
Supreme Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
North Dakota | N.D. Cent. Code § 27-02.1-01 | Court of Appeals |
A temporary court of appeals is established to exercise appellate and original jurisdiction as delegated by the supreme court. Panels of the temporary court of appeals may issue original and + See moreremedial writs necessary to properly exercise jurisdiction in cases assigned to them. The panels of the temporary court of appeals are subject to administration by the supreme court pursuant to sections 3 and 8 of article VI of the Constitution of North Dakota.
|
Court of Appeals | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
North Dakota | N.D. Cent. Code § 27-02.1-03 | Court of Appeals | Panels of the temporary court of appeals have jurisdiction to hear and to decide all cases assigned by the supreme court. | Court of Appeals | Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
North Dakota | N.D. Cent. Code § 27-05-00.1 | District Courts |
1. Following the completion on January 1, 1995, of the terms of the judges of all county courts, the county court and office of judge of the county court in + See moreeach county are abolished. 2. District court judgeships are established on January 2, 1995, in number equal to the number of county judges serving the county courts on January 1, 1991, or the number of county judges serving the county courts on January 1, 1994, whichever is the lesser number. . . . All statutes relating to the district court apply to the district court judgeships established pursuant to this subsection, except as otherwise provided by this section. 3. The supreme court shall designate by rule, prior to January 1, 1994, the judicial district for each additional district court judgeship established pursuant to subsection 2. The judicial district designated by the supreme court for each district court judgeship established pursuant to subsection 2 is the area of election for that office at the general election in 1994. . . .
|
District Courts | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
North Dakota | N.D. Cent. Code § 27-05-06 | District Courts |
The district courts of this state have the general jurisdiction conferred upon the courts by the constitution, and in the exercise of that jurisdiction the courts have power to issue + See moreall writs, process, and commissions provided therein or by law or which may be necessary for the due execution of the powers with which the courts are vested. The courts have: 1. Common-law jurisdiction and authority within their respective judicial districts for the redress of all wrongs committed against the laws of this state affecting persons or property. 2. Power to hear and determine all civil actions and proceedings. 3. All the powers, according to the usages of courts of law and equity, necessary to the full and complete jurisdiction of the causes and parties and the full and complete administration of justice, and to carrying into effect the courts' judgments, orders, and other determinations, subject to a re-examination by the supreme court as provided by law. 4. Jurisdiction of appeals from all final judgments of municipal judges and from the determinations of inferior officers, boards, or tribunals, in the cases and pursuant to the regulations as may be prescribed by law. 5. Disputed property line proceedings pursuant to section 11-20-14.1. 6. Power to hear and determine all actions and proceedings arising from the enforcement of county home rule charter ordinances.
|
District Courts | Jurisdiction of the courts |