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Alaska Alaska Stat. Ann. § 22.05.015 Transfer of Appellate Cases

(a) The supreme court may transfer to the court of appeals for decision a case pending before the supreme court if the case is within the jurisdiction of the court

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of appeals.

(b) The supreme court may take jurisdiction of a case pending before the court of appeals if the court of appeals certifies to the supreme court that the case involves a significant question of law under the Constitution of the United States or under the constitution of the state or involves an issue of substantial public interest that should be determined by the supreme court.

(c) A case filed in the supreme court or in the court of appeals may not be dismissed by one court on the ground that it is within the jurisdiction of the other court. The case shall be transferred to the proper court.

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Alaska Alaska Stat. Ann. § 22.05.010 Jurisdiction

(a) The supreme court has final appellate jurisdiction in all actions and proceedings. However, a party has only one appeal as a matter of right from an action or proceeding

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commenced in either the district court or the superior court.

(b) Appeal to the supreme court is a matter of right only in those actions and proceedings from which there is no right of appeal to the court of appeals under AS 22.07.020 or to the superior court under AS 22.10.020 or AS 22.15.240.

(c) A decision of the superior court on an appeal from an administrative agency decision may be appealed to the supreme court as a matter of right.

(d) The supreme court may in its discretion review a final decision of the court of appeals on application of a party under AS 22.07.030. The supreme court may in its discretion review a final decision of the superior court on an appeal of a civil case commenced in the district court. In this subsection, “final decision” means a decision or order, other than a dismissal by consent of all parties, that closes a matter in the court of appeals or the superior court, as applicable.

(e) The supreme court may issue injunctions, writs, and all other process necessary to the complete exercise of its jurisdiction.

(f) The supreme court may, in its discretion, review a final decision of the Military Appeals Commission under AS 26.05.645 for which a sentence of confinement is imposed, the right to appeal to the Military Appeals Commission under AS 26.05.615 or 26.05.640 has been exhausted, and a petition for review is filed under AS 26.05.645.

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Alaska Alaska Stat. Ann. § 22.10.020 Jurisdiction of the Superior Court

(a) The superior court is the trial court of general jurisdiction, with original jurisdiction in all civil and criminal matters, including probate and guardianship of minors and incompetents. Except for

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a petition for a protective order under AS 18.66.100-18.66.180, an action that falls within the concurrent jurisdiction of the superior court and the district court may not be filed in the superior court, except as provided by rules of the supreme court.

(b) The jurisdiction of the superior court extends over the whole of the state.

(c) The superior court and its judges may issue injunctions, writs of review, mandamus, prohibition, habeas corpus, and all other writs necessary or proper to the complete exercise of its jurisdiction. A writ of habeas corpus may be made returnable before any judge of the superior court.

(d) The superior court has jurisdiction in all matters appealed to it from a subordinate court, or administrative agency when appeal is provided by law, and has jurisdiction over petitions for relief in administrative matters under AS 44.62.305. The hearings on appeal from a final order or judgment of a subordinate court or administrative agency, except an appeal under AS 43.05.242, shall be on the record unless the superior court, in its discretion, grants a trial de novo, in whole or in part. The hearings on appeal from a final order or judgment under AS 43.05.242 shall be on the record.

(e) An appeal to the superior court is a matter of right, but an appeal from a subordinate court may not be taken by the defendant in a criminal case after a plea of guilty, except on the ground that the sentence was excessive. The state's right of appeal in criminal cases is limited by the prohibitions against double jeopardy contained in the United States Constitution and the Alaska Constitution.

(f) An appeal to the superior court may be taken on the ground that an unsuspended sentence of imprisonment exceeding 120 days was excessive and the superior court in the exercise of this jurisdiction has the power to reduce the sentence. The state may appeal a sentence on the ground that it is too lenient. When a sentence is appealed on the ground that it is too lenient, the court may not increase the sentence but may express its approval or disapproval of the sentence and its reasons in a written opinion.

(g) In case of an actual controversy in the state, the superior court, upon the filing of an appropriate pleading, may declare the rights and legal relations of an interested party seeking the declaration, whether or not further relief is or could be sought. The declaration has the force and effect of a final judgment or decree and is reviewable as such. Further necessary or proper relief based on a declaratory judgment or decree may be granted, after reasonable notice and hearing, against an adverse party whose rights have been determined by the judgment.

(h) Renumbered as § 22.10.025(a) by the revisor in 2004.

(i) The superior court is the court of original jurisdiction over all causes of action arising under the provisions of AS 18.80. A person who is injured or aggrieved by an act, practice, or policy which is prohibited under AS 18.80 may apply to the superior court for relief. The person aggrieved or injured may maintain an action on behalf of that person or on behalf of a class consisting of all persons who are aggrieved or injured by the act, practice, or policy giving rise to the action. In an action brought under this subsection, the court may grant relief as to any act, practice, or policy of the defendant which is prohibited by AS 18.80, regardless of whether each act, practice, or policy, with respect to which relief is granted, directly affects the plaintiff, so long as a class or members of a class of which the plaintiff is a member are or may be aggrieved or injured by the act, practice, or policy. The court may enjoin any act, practice, or policy which is illegal under AS 18.80 and may order any other relief, including the payment of money, that is appropriate.

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Alaska Alaska Stat. Ann. § 22.15.040 Small Claims

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, when a claim for relief does not exceed $10,000, exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney fees, and request is so made, the

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district judge or magistrate shall hear the action as a small claim unless important or unusual points of law are involved or the state is a defendant. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development may bring an action as a small claim under this subsection for the payment of wages under AS 23.05.220 in an amount not to exceed $20,000, exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney fees. The supreme court shall prescribe the procedural rules and standard forms to assure simplicity and the expeditious handling of small claims.

(b) All potential small claim litigants shall be informed if mediation, conciliation, and arbitration services are available as an alternative to litigation.

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Alaska Alaska Stat. Ann. § 22.15.030 Civil Jurisdiction

(a) The district court has jurisdiction of civil cases, including foreign judgments filed under AS 09.30.200 and arbitration proceedings under AS 09.43.170 or 09.43.530 to the extent permitted by AS

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09.43.010 and 09.43.300, as follows:

(1) for the recovery of money or damages when the amount claimed exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney fees does not exceed $100,000 for each defendant;

(2) for the recovery of specific personal property, when the value of the property claimed and the damages for the detention do not exceed $100,000;

(3) for the recovery of a penalty or forfeiture, whether given by statute or arising out of contract, not exceeding $100,000;

(4) to give judgment without action upon the confession of the defendant for any of the cases specified in this section, except for a penalty or forfeiture imposed by statute;

(5) for establishing the fact of death or cause and manner of death of any person in the manner prescribed in AS 09.55.020--09.55.069;

(6) for the recovery of the possession of premises in the manner provided under AS 09.45.070--09.45.160 when the value of the arrears and damage to the property does not exceed $100,000;

(7) for the foreclosure of a lien when the amount in controversy does not exceed $100,000;

(8) for the recovery of money or damages in motor vehicle tort cases when the amount claimed exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney fees does not exceed $100,000 for each defendant;

(9) over civil actions for taking utility service and for damages to or interference with a utility line filed under AS 42.20.030;

(10) over cases involving protective orders for domestic violence under AS 18.66.100--18.66.180.

(11) over cases involving cruelty to or seizure, destruction, adoption, or cost of care of animals under AS 03.55.100--03.55.190.

(b) Insofar as the civil jurisdiction of the district courts and the superior court is the same, the jurisdiction is concurrent. Except for a petition for a protective order under AS 18.66.100-18.66.180, an action that falls within the concurrent jurisdiction of the superior court and the district court may not be filed in the superior court, except as provided by rules of the supreme court.

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Alaska Alaska Stat. Ann. § 22.15.050 Actions Not Within Civil Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of the district courts does not extend to (1) an action in which the title to real property is in question; (2) an action of an equitable nature,

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except as otherwise provided by law.

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Alaska Alaska Stat. Ann. § 22.15.060 Criminal Jurisdiction

(a) The district court has jurisdiction (1) of the following crimes: (A) a misdemeanor, unless otherwise provided in this chapter; (B) a violation of an ordinance of a political subdivision;

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(C) a violation of AS 04.16.050 or AS 11.76.105; (2) to provide post-conviction relief under the Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure, if the conviction occurred in the district court.

(b) Insofar as the criminal jurisdiction of the district courts and the superior court is the same, such jurisdiction is concurrent.

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Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-199 Supreme Court Jurisdiction
(a) The Supreme Court shall have final and conclusive jurisdiction of all matters brought before it according to law, and may carry into execution all its judgments and decrees and
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institute rules of practice and procedure as to matters before it.(b) The following matters shall be taken directly to the Supreme Court: (1) Any matter brought pursuant to the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under section 2 of article sixteen of the amendments to the Constitution; (2) an appeal in any matter where the Superior Court declares invalid a state statute or a provision of the state Constitution; (3) an appeal in any criminal action involving a conviction for a capital felony under the provisions of section 53a-54b in effect prior to April 25, 2012, class A felony or any other felony, including any persistent offender status, for which the maximum sentence which may be imposed exceeds twenty years; (4) review of a sentence of death pursuant to section 53a-46b; (5) any election or primary dispute brought to the Supreme Court pursuant to section 9-323 or 9-325; (6) an appeal of any reprimand or censure of a probate judge pursuant to section 45a-65; (7) any matter regarding judicial removal or suspension pursuant to section 51-51j; (8) an appeal of any decision of the Judicial Review Council pursuant to section 51-51r; (9) any matter brought to the Supreme Court pursuant to section 52-265a; (10) writs of error; and (11) any other matter as provided by law. (c) The Supreme Court may transfer to itself a cause in the Appellate Court. Except for any matter brought pursuant to its original jurisdiction under section 2 of article sixteen of the amendments to the Constitution, the Supreme Court may transfer a cause or class of causes from itself, including any cause or class of causes pending on July 1, 1983, to the Appellate Court. The court to which a cause is transferred has jurisdiction. (d) The Supreme Court may issue all writs necessary or appropriate in aid of its jurisdiction and agreeable to the usages and principles of law.
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Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-197a. Appellate Court Jurisdiction
Appeals to Appellate Court. Writs. Transfer of jurisdiction from appellate session. (a) Appeals from final judgments or actions of the Superior Court shall be taken to the Appellate Court in
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accordance with section 51-197c, except for small claims, which are not appealable, appeals within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as provided for in section 51-199, appeals as provided for in sections 8-8 and 8-9, and except as otherwise provided by statute.(b) The Appellate Court may issue all writs necessary or appropriate in aid of its jurisdiction and agreeable to the usages and principles of law. (c) All matters pending in the appellate session of the Superior Court on July 1, 1983, shall be construed as pending with the same status in the Appellate Court on said date. (d) Notwithstanding subsection (c) of this section, the appellate session of the Superior Court shall continue to have jurisdiction over appeals which it heard prior to July 1, 1983, pursuant to the provisions which were applicable at such time. (e) Except as otherwise provided in sections 2-40, 2-42, 7-143, 7-230, 8-8, 8-9, 8-132, 8-132a, 10-153e, 12-4, 13a-76, 31-63, 31-109, 31-118, 31-249b, 31-272, 31-301b, 31-301c, 31-324, 31-491, 31-493, 38a-470, 46a-94, 46a-95, 46b-142, 46b-143, 46b-150c, 51-1a, 51-14, 51-49, 51-50j, 51-164x, 51-165, 51-197a, 51-197b, 51-197c, 51-197e, 51-197f, 51-199, 51-201, 51-202, 51-203, 51-209, 51-210, 51-211, 51-213, 51-215a, 51-216a, 52-235, 52-257, 52-259, 52-263, 52-267, 52-405, 52-434, 52-434a, 52-470, 52-476, 52-477, 52-592, 54-63g, 54-95, 54-96, 54-96a, 54-96b and 54-143, all jurisdiction conferred upon and exercised by the appellate session prior to July 1, 1983, of the Superior Court shall be transferred to the Appellate Court.
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Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-164s Superior Court Jurisdiction
The Superior Court shall be the sole court of original jurisdiction for all causes of action, except such actions over which the courts of probate have original jurisdiction, as provided
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by statute.
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Connecticut Conn. Const., art. V, § 1 Creation of lower courts
The judicial power of the state shall be vested in a supreme court, a superior court, and such lower courts as the general assembly shall, from time to time, ordain
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and establish. The powers and jurisdiction of these courts shall be defined by law.
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Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-98 Probate Court Jurisdiction

(a) Probate Courts in their respective districts shall have the power to (1) grant administration of intestate estates of persons who have died domiciled in their districts and of intestate estates

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of persons not domiciled in this state which may be granted as provided by section 45a-303; (2) admit wills to probate of persons who have died domiciled in their districts or of nondomiciliaries whose wills may be proved in their districts as provided in section 45a-287; (3) except as provided in section 45a-98a or as limited by an applicable statute of limitations, determine title or rights of possession and use in and to any real, tangible or intangible property that constitutes, or may constitute, all or part of any trust, any decedent’s estate, or any estate under control of a guardian or conservator, which trust or estate is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Probate Court, including the rights and obligations of any beneficiary of the trust or estate and including the rights and obligations of any joint tenant with respect to survivorship property; (4) except as provided in section 45a-98a, construe the meaning and effect of (A) any will or trust agreement if a construction is required in connection with the administration or distribution of a trust or estate otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Probate Court; (B) an inter vivos trust upon a petition that meets the requirements for a petition for an accounting pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of section 45a-175, provided such an accounting need not be required; or (C) a power of attorney pursuant to section 1-350o; (5) except as provided in section 45a-98a, apply the doctrine of cy pres or approximation; (6) to the extent provided for in section 45a-175, call executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, conservators, and agents acting under powers of attorney created in accordance with sections 1-350 to 1-353b, inclusive, to account concerning the estates entrusted to their charge or for other relief as provided in sections 1-250 to 1-353b, inclusive; and (7) make any lawful orders or decrees to carry into effect the power and jurisdiction conferred upon them by the laws of this state.

(b) The jurisdiction of courts of probate to determine title or rights or to construe instruments or to apply the doctrine of cy pres or approximation pursuant to subsection (a) of this section is concurrent with the jurisdiction of the Superior Court and does not affect the power of the Superior Court as a court of general jurisdiction.

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Idaho Idaho Const. Art. V, § 9 Original and Appellate Jurisdiction of Supreme Court

The Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction to review, upon appeal, any decision of the district courts, or the judges thereof, any order of the public utilities commission, any order of

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the industrial accident board, and any plan proposed by the commission for reapportionment created pursuant to section 2, article III; the legislature may provide conditions of appeal, scope of appeal, and procedure on appeal from orders of the public utilities commission, of the industrial accident board. On appeal from orders of the industrial accident board the court shall be limited to a review of questions of law. The Supreme Court shall also have original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, certiorari, prohibition, and habeas corpus, and all writs necessary or proper to the complete exercise of its appellate jurisdiction.

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Idaho Idaho Const. Art. V, § 11 District Courts -- Judges and Terms

The state shall be divided into five (5) judicial districts, for each of which a judge shall be chosen by the qualified electors thereof, whose term of office shall be

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four (4) years. And there shall be held a district court in each county, at least twice in each year, to continue for such time in each county as may be prescribed by law. But the legislature may reduce or increase the number of districts, district judges and district attorneys. This section shall not be construed to prevent the holding of special terms under such regulations as may be provided by law.

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Idaho Idaho Const. Art. V, § 14 Special Courts in Cities and Towns

The legislature may provide for the establishment of special courts for the trial of misdemeanors in incorporated cities and towns, where the same may be necessary.

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Idaho Idaho Code § 1-2403 Court of Appeals Established -- Administration and Supervision

There is hereby created the Idaho court of appeals. The court of appeals shall be part of the judicial branch of government and shall be subject to administration and supervision

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by the supreme court of Idaho pursuant to article 5, section 2 of the Idaho constitution.

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Idaho Idaho Code § 1-2406 Jurisdiction -- Assignment and Revocation of Assignment of Cases -- Authority in Furtherance of Jurisdiction

(1) Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the Idaho court of appeals shall have jurisdiction to hear and to decide all cases assigned to it by the Idaho

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supreme court; provided, that the supreme court shall not assign cases invoking the supreme court’s original jurisdiction, nor appeals from imposition of sentences of capital punishment in criminal cases, nor appeals from the industrial commission, nor appeals from the public utilities commission. (2) In assigning cases to the Idaho court of appeals, the Idaho supreme court shall give due regard to the workload of each court, to the error review and correction functions of the court of appeals, and to the desirability of retaining for decision by the supreme court those cases in which there is substantial public interest or in which there are significant issues involving clarification or development of the law. (3) Upon motion of any party, or upon recommendation of the court of appeals, or upon its own motion, the supreme court may revoke assignment of a case to the court of appeals. In the event of such transfer or revocation of assignment, the case shall be heard and decided by the supreme court. (4) A judge of the court of appeals may be assigned cases in other courts from time to time by the chief justice of the supreme court of Idaho, and when so assigned shall have the same powers, duties and functions as a judge of the court to which he is assigned; provided, however, that no judge shall participate in the review by the supreme court or by the court of appeals of a case in which he participated while serving on the district court or court of appeals.

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Idaho Idaho Code § 1-2201 Magistrate Division of District Court -- Established

Pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of article V of the Idaho Constitution there is hereby established in each county of the state of Idaho a magistrate division of

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the district court.

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Idaho Idaho Code § 1-2208 Assignment of Cases to Magistrates

Subject to rules promulgated by the supreme court, the administrative judge in each judicial district or any district judge in the district designated by him may assign to magistrates, severally,

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or by designation of office, or by class or category of cases, or in specific instances the following matters: (1) Civil proceedings as follows: (a) When the amount of money or damages or the value of personal property claimed does not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000): (i) Actions for the recovery of money only arising on contracts express or implied; actions for damages for injury to person, property or reputation or for taking or detaining personal property, or for fraud; (ii) Actions for rent and distress for rent; (iii) Actions for claim and delivery; (iv) Proceedings in attachment, garnishment, wage deductions for the benefit of creditors, trial or right of personal property and exemptions, and supplementary proceedings; (v) Actions arising under the laws for the incorporation of cities or counties or any ordinance passed in pursuance thereof; actions for the confiscation or abatement of nuisances and the seizure, condemnation and forfeiture of personal property; proceedings in respect of estrays and lost property; (vi) Actions to collect taxes. (b) Proceedings in forcible entry, forcible detainer, and unlawful detainer; and (c) Proceedings for the enforcement and foreclosure of common law and statutory liens of not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) on real or personal property. (2) Proceedings in the probate of wills and administration of estates of decedents, minors and incompetents. (3) The following criminal and quasi-criminal proceedings: (a) Misdemeanor and quasi-criminal actions; (b) Proceedings to prevent the commission of crimes; (c) Proceedings pertaining to warrants for arrest or for searches and seizures; and (d) Proceedings for the preliminary examination to determine probable cause, commitment prior to trial or the release on bail of persons charged with criminal offenses. (4) Any juvenile proceedings except those within the scope of the provisions of section 1-2210, Idaho Code. (5) Proceedings under the Idaho traffic infractions act, chapter 15, title 49, Idaho Code.

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Idaho Idaho Code § 1-2210 Assignments Restricted to Magistrates Who are Attorneys

(1) The supreme court by rule may specify additional categories of matters assignable to magistrates, except that the following matters may not be assigned to magistrates who are not attorneys:

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(a) Civil actions in which the amount of money or damages or the value of property claimed exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000), except as otherwise authorized by this act; (b) Criminal proceedings in which the maximum authorized punishment exceeds the punishment authorized for misdemeanors; (c) All proceedings involving the custody of minors and all habeas corpus proceedings; (d) Proceedings for divorce, separate maintenance or annulment; and (e) Proceedings in quo warranto, or for injunction, prohibition, mandamus, ne exeat, or appointment of a receiver. (2) The supreme court may assign an attorney magistrate to temporary service on the supreme court, except an attorney magistrate may not be assigned to hear cases in which the attorney magistrate participated, nor may an attorney magistrate be assigned to hear cases which originated in his or her judicial district.

Jurisdiction of the courts