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Below are all of the laws that govern the structure of courts that match your search criteria.
161 Results
State | Statute | Description/Statute Name | Statutory language | Court/legal body | Function | |
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Alabama | Ala.Code 1975 § 12-2-7 | Supreme court - jurisdiction |
(1) To exercise appellate jurisdiction coextensive with the state, under such restrictions and regulations as are prescribed by law; but, in deciding appeals, no weight shall be given the decision + See moreof the trial judge upon the facts where the evidence is not taken orally before the judge, but in such cases the Supreme Court shall weigh the evidence and give judgment as it deems just.(2) To exercise original jurisdiction in the issue and determination of writs of quo warranto and mandamus in relation to matters in which no other court has jurisdiction.
(3) To issue writs of injunction, habeas corpus, and such other remedial and original writs as are necessary to give to it a general superintendence and control of courts of inferior jurisdiction.
(4) To make and promulgate rules governing the administration of all courts and rules governing practice and procedure in all courts; provided, that such rules shall not abridge, enlarge, or modify the substantive right of any party nor affect the jurisdiction of circuit and district courts or venue of actions therein; and provided further, that the right of trial by jury as at common law and declared by Section 11 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901 shall be preserved to the parties inviolate.
(5) To punish for contempts by the infliction of a fine not exceeding $100, and imprisonment not exceeding 10 days or both.
(6) To transfer to the Court of Civil Appeals, for determination by that court, any civil case appealed to the Supreme Court and within the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, except the following:
a. A case that the Supreme Court determines presents a substantial question of federal or state constitutional law.
b. A case that the Supreme Court determines involves a novel legal question, the resolution of which will have significant statewide impact.
c. A utility rate case appealed directly to the Supreme Court under the provisions of Section 37-1-140.
d. A bond validation proceeding appealed to the Supreme Court under the provisions of Section 6-6-754.
e. A bar disciplinary proceeding.
(7) To exercise such other powers as are or may be given to the Supreme Court by law.
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Supreme Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Alabama | Ala.Code 1975 § 12-11-30 | Circuit court - jurisdiction |
(1) CIVIL. The circuit court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of all civil actions in which the matter in controversy exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000), exclusive of interest and costs, + See moreand shall exercise original jurisdiction concurrent with the district court in all civil actions in which the matter in controversy exceeds six thousand dollars ($6,000), exclusive of interest and costs.(2) CRIMINAL. The circuit court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of all felony prosecutions and of misdemeanor or ordinance violations which are lesser included offenses within a felony charge or which arise from the same incident as a felony charge; except, that the district court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court to receive pleas of guilty in felony cases not punishable by sentence of death. The circuit court may, on conviction of a defendant, upon a showing of inability to make immediate payment of fine and costs, continue the case from time to time to permit the fine and costs to be paid.
(3) APPELLATE. The circuit court shall have appellate jurisdiction of civil, criminal, and juvenile cases in district court and prosecutions for ordinance violations in municipal courts, except in cases in which direct appeal to the Courts of Civil or Criminal Appeals is provided by law or rule. Appeals to the circuit court shall be tried de novo, with or without a jury, as provided by law.
(4) SUPERINTENDENCE OF DISTRICT, MUNICIPAL AND PROBATE COURTS. The circuit court shall exercise a general superintendence over all district courts, municipal courts, and probate courts.
(5) CONTEMPTS. The circuit court may punish contempts by fines not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) and by imprisonment not exceeding five days. The power of the circuit court to enforce its orders and judgments by determinations of civil contempt shall be unaffected by this section.
(6) GENERAL. The circuit court shall have other powers as provided by law.
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Circuit Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Michigan | Michigan State Constitution Article VI Sec. 10 | Michigan State Constitution Article VI Sec. 10 | The jurisdiction of the court of appeals shall be provided by law and the practice and procedure therein shall be prescribed by rules of the supreme court. | Court of appeals | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Michigan | Michigan State Constitution Article VI Sec. 13 | Michigan State Constitution Article VI Sec. 13 |
The circuit court shall have original jurisdiction in all matters not prohibited by law; appellate jurisdiction from all inferior courts and tribunals except as otherwise provided by law; power to + See moreissue, hear and determine prerogative and remedial writs; supervisory and general control over inferior courts and tribunals within their respective jurisdictions in accordance with rules of the supreme court; and jurisdiction of other cases and matters as provided by rules of the supreme court.
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Circuit Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Michigan | Michigan State Constitution Article VI Sec. 15 | Michigan State Constitution Article VI Sec. 15 |
In each county organized for judicial purposes there shall be a probate court. The legislature may create or alter probate court districts of more than one county if approved in + See moreeach affected county by a majority of the electors voting on the question. The legislature may provide for the combination of the office of probate judge with any judicial office of limited jurisdiction within a county with supplemental salary as provided by law. The jurisdiction, powers and duties of the probate court and of the judges thereof shall be provided by law. They shall have original jurisdiction in all cases of juvenile delinquents and dependents, except as otherwise provided by law.
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Probate court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Michigan | Michigan State Constitution Article VI Sec. 1 | Michigan State Constitution Article VI Sec. 1 |
The judicial power of the state is vested exclusively in one court of justice which shall be divided into one supreme court, one court of appeals, one trial court of + See moregeneral jurisdiction known as the circuit court, one probate court, and courts of limited jurisdiction . . .
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Judicial power | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Michigan | Michigan State Constitution Article VI Sec. 1 | Michigan State Constitution Article VI Sec. 1 |
The judicial power of the state is vested exclusively in one court of justice which shall be divided into one supreme court . . . and courts of limited jurisdiction + See morethat the legislature may establish by a two-thirds vote of the members elected to and serving in each house.
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Limited jurisdiction court | Creation of the courts |
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Alabama | Ala.Code 1975 § 12-12-34 | Juvenile jurisdiction | Juvenile jurisdiction shall be exercised concurrently by the district court and the circuit court as provided by law. | District/Circuit Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Alabama | Ala.Code 1975 § 12-12-51 | District court - jurisdiction over misdemeanor prosecution for traffic violations | The district court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of misdemeanor prosecutions for traffic infractions, except ordinance infractions prosecuted in municipal courts. | District Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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California | Cal. Con. art. VI, § 2 | Supreme Court; justices; time for convening; concurrence required for judgment; acting Chief Justice |
The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice ofCalifornia and 6 associate justices. The Chief Justice may convene
the court at any time. Concurrence of 4 judges present at + See morethe
argument is necessary for a judgment.
An acting Chief Justice shall perform all functions of the Chief
Justice when the Chief Justice is absent or unable to act. The Chief
Justice or, if the Chief Justice fails to do so, the court shall
select an associate justice as acting Chief Justice.
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Supreme Court | Creation of the courts |
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California | Cal. Con. art. VI, § 3 | Courts of appeal; districts; divisions; power; concurrence required for judgment; acting presiding justice |
The Legislature shall divide the State into districts eachcontaining a court of appeal with one or more divisions. Each
division consists of a presiding justice and 2 or more associate
justices. + See more It has the power of a court of appeal and shall conduct
itself as a 3-judge court. Concurrence of 2 judges present at the
argument is necessary for a judgment.
An acting presiding justice shall perform all functions of the
presiding justice when the presiding justice is absent or unable to
act. The presiding justice or, if the presiding justice fails to do
so, the Chief Justice shall select an associate justice of that
division as acting presiding justice.
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Court of Appeals | Creation of the courts |
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California | Cal. Con. Art. VI, Sec. 4 | Superior courts; officers and employees; appellate divisions |
In each county there is a superior court of one or morejudges. The Legislature shall prescribe the number of judges and
provide for the officers and employees of each superior + See morecourt. If
the governing body of each affected county concurs, the Legislature
may provide that one or more judges serve more than one superior
court.
In each superior court there is an appellate division. The Chief
Justice shall assign judges to the appellate division for specified
terms pursuant to rules, not inconsistent with statute, adopted by
the Judicial Council to promote the independence of the appellate
division.
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Superior Court | Creation of the courts |
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California | Cal. Con. art. VI, § 12 | Supreme Court; review | The Supreme Court may review the decision of a court of appeal in any cause. | Supreme Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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California | Cal. Const. art. VI, § 1 | Judicial power | The judicial power of this State is vested in the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, and superior courts, all of which are courts of record. | Judicial power generally | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Nevada | NV Const. Article 6, Sec. 1 | Judicial power vested in court system |
Judicial power vested in court system. The judicial power of this State is vested in a court system, comprising a Supreme Court, a court of appeals, district courts and justices of + See morethe peace. The Legislature may also establish, as part of the system, courts for municipal purposes only in incorporated cities and towns.
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All courts | Creation of the courts |
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Nevada | NV Const. Article 6, Sec. 6 | District Courts: Jurisdiction; referees; family court |
2. The legislature may provide by law for: . . . .
(b) The establishment of a family court as a division of any district + See morecourt and may prescribe its jurisdiction.
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Family Court | Creation of the courts |
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Nevada | NV Const. Article 6, Sec. 6 | District Courts: Jurisdiction; referees; family court |
District Courts: Jurisdiction; referees; family court. 1. The District Courts in the several Judicial Districts of this State have original jurisdiction in all cases excluded by + See morelaw from the original jurisdiction of justices’ courts. They also have final appellate jurisdiction in cases arising in Justices Courts and such other inferior tribunals as may be established by law. The District Courts and the Judges thereof have power to issue writs of Mandamus, Prohibition, Injunction, Quo-Warrantor, Certiorari, and all other writs proper and necessary to the complete exercise of their jurisdiction. The District Courts and the Judges thereof shall also have power to issue writs of Habeas Corpus on petition by, or on behalf of any person who is held in actual custody in their respective districts, or who has suffered a criminal conviction in their respective districts and has not completed the sentence imposed pursuant to the judgment of conviction.
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District court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Nevada | NV Const. Article 6, Sec. 8 | Number, qualifications, terms of office and jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace; appeals; Courts of Record |
. . . The Legislature shall also prescribe by law the manner, and determine the cases, in which appeals may be taken from justices and other courts. The Supreme Court, + See morethe court of appeals, the district courts and such other courts as the Legislature designates are courts of record.
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District court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Nevada | NV Const. Article 6, Sec. 9 | Municipal courts |
Municipal courts. Provision shall be made by law prescribing the powers[,] duties and responsibilities of any Municipal Court that may be established in pursuance of Section One, of this Article; and + See morealso fixing by law the jurisdiction of said Court so as not to conflict with that of the several courts of Record.
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Municipal court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Nevada | Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 1.200 | Original jurisdiction not lost by subsequent legislation |
The court having acquired jurisdiction of an action shall not lose such jurisdiction by reason of any subsequent amendment or repeal of the law under which such jurisdiction was acquired + See moreunless such amendment or repealing act shall expressly provide that such jurisdiction is terminated, and such action shall proceed to final determination the same as though there had been no such amendment or repeal.
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All courts | Jurisdiction of the courts |