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Structure of Courts
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Function
Below are all of the laws that govern the structure of courts that match your search criteria.
79 Results
| State | Statute | Description/Statute Name | Statutory language | Court/legal body | Function | |
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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 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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Supreme Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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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. |
Municipal Courts | Creation of the courts, Jurisdiction of the courts |
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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 supreme court; provided, that the supreme court shall not assign cases invoking the supreme courts 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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Court of Appeals | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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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, 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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Administrative Judges | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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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: (a) Civil actions in which the amount of money or damages or the value of property claimed exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000), except as otherwise authorized by this act; (b) Criminal proceedings in which the maximum authorized punishment exceeds the punishment authorized for misdemeanors; (c) All proceedings involving the custody of minors and all habeas corpus proceedings; (d) Proceedings for divorce, separate maintenance or annulment; and (e) Proceedings in quo warranto, or for injunction, prohibition, mandamus, ne exeat, or appointment of a receiver. (2) The supreme court may assign an attorney magistrate to temporary service on the supreme court, except an attorney magistrate may not be assigned to hear cases in which the attorney magistrate participated, nor may an attorney magistrate be assigned to hear cases which originated in his or her judicial district.
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Magistrates | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Idaho | Idaho Code § 1-2301 | Small Claims Department -- Creation -- Scope of Claims -- Venue |
In every magistrate's division of the district court of this state, the district court may create and organize a "Small Claims Department of the Magistrate's Division," which shall have jurisdiction in cases for the recovery of money where the amount of each claim does not exceed five thousand dollars ($ 5,000), and in cases for the recovery of personal property where the value of the property does not exceed five thousand dollars ($ 5,000); provided however, that the small claims department shall not award punitive damages or damages for pain or suffering in any proceeding. Any action brought in a small claims department of the magistrate's division shall be brought in the magistrate's division in the county where the defendant resides or the county where the cause of action arose. A defendant may request a change of venue if an action is brought in an improper county.
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Small Claims Department | Creation of the courts, Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Idaho | Idaho Code § 20-505 | Jurisdiction |
Subject to the prior jurisdiction of the United States, the court shall have exclusive, original jurisdiction over any juvenile and over any adult who was a juvenile at the time of any act, omission or status, in the county in which the juvenile resides, or in the county in which the act, omission or status allegedly took place, in the following cases: (1) Where the act, omission or status occurs in the state of Idaho and is prohibited by federal, state, local or municipal law or ordinance by reason of minority only; (2) Where the act or omission occurs in the state of Idaho and is a violation of any federal, state, local or municipal law or ordinance which would be a crime if committed by an adult; (3) Concerning any juvenile where the juvenile comes under the purview of the interstate compact for juveniles as set forth in chapter 19, title 16, Idaho Code; (4) This chapter shall not apply to juvenile violators of beer, wine or other alcohol and tobacco laws; except that a juvenile violator under the age of eighteen (18) years at the time of the violation may, at the discretion of the court, be treated under the provisions of this chapter, provided that a juvenile taken into custody pursuant to section 20-516(1)(c), Idaho Code, for an alcohol age infraction under section 18-1502(e), Idaho Code, shall be treated within the provisions of this chapter; (5) This chapter shall not apply to the juvenile offenders who are transferred for criminal prosecution as an adult, as provided in this chapter; (6) This chapter shall not apply to juvenile violators of traffic, watercraft, fish and game, failure to obey a misdemeanor citation and criminal contempt laws; except that a juvenile violator under the age of eighteen (18) years at the time of such violation may, at the discretion of the court, be treated under the provisions of this chapter; (7) This chapter shall not apply to juvenile sex offenders who violate the provisions of section 18-8414, Idaho Code.
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District Courts | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Idaho | Idaho Code § 16-1604 | Retention of Jurisdiction |
Jurisdiction obtained by the court under this chapter shall be retained until the child's eighteenth birthday, unless terminated prior thereto. Jurisdiction of the court shall not be terminated by an order of termination of parental rights if guardianship and/or custody of the child is placed with the department of health and welfare.
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District Courts | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Idaho | Idaho Code § 16-1603 | Jurisdiction of the Courts |
(1) Except as otherwise provided herein, the court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction in all proceedings under this chapter concerning any child living or found within the state: (a) Who is neglected, abused or abandoned by his parents, guardian or other legal custodian, or who is homeless; or (b) Whose parents or other legal custodian fails to provide a stable home environment; (2) If the court has taken jurisdiction over a child under subsection (1) of this section, it may take jurisdiction over another child living or having custodial visitation in the same household without the filing of a separate petition if it finds all of the following: (a) The other child is living or is found within the state; (b) The other child has been exposed to or is at risk of being a victim of abuse, neglect or abandonment; (c) The other child is listed in the petition or amended petition; (d) The parents or legal guardians of the other child have notice as provided in section 16-1611, Idaho Code.
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District Courts | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Idaho | Idaho Code § 20-507 | Retention of Jurisdiction |
Jurisdiction obtained by the court in the case of a juvenile offender shall be retained by it for the purposes of this act until he becomes twenty-one (21) years of age, unless terminated prior thereto. If a juvenile offender under the jurisdiction of the court and after attaining eighteen (18) years of age, is charged with a felony, he shall be treated as any other adult offender. If a person eighteen (18) years of age or older already under court jurisdiction is convicted of a felony, that conviction shall terminate the jurisdiction of the court, provided however, nothing herein contained shall prohibit any court from proceeding as provided in section 20-508(2), Idaho Code.
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District Courts | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Illinois | 730 Ill. Comp. Stat. 110/13 | Duties of director of court services department or chief probation officer; facilities and personnel |
It shall be the duty of the director of the court services department or the chief probation officer, appointed as provided in this act, to supervise and control the work of all subordinate court services or probation officers under his or her jurisdiction subject to the general administrative and supervisory authority of the Chief Circuit Judge or another judge designated by the Chief Circuit Judge, and to control and supervise, as herein provided, the conduct of probationers to such extent as the court may direct. The Chief Circuit Judge, or another judge designated by the Chief Circuit Judge to have general administrative and supervisory authority over the director of the court services department or the chief probation officer, may authorize the director or chief probation officer to appoint all subordinate court services department officers or probation officers, who shall serve at the pleasure of the director or chief probation officer.
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Circuit Courts | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Illinois | IL Const., Art. VI, § 9 | Circuit Courts — Jurisdiction |
Circuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction of all justiciable matters except when the Supreme Court has justiciable matters except when the Supreme Court has original and exclusive jurisdiction relating to redistricting of the General Assembly and to the ability of the Governor to serve or resume office. Circuit Courts shall have such power to review administrative action as provided by law.
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Circuit Courts | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Illinois | 730 Ill. Comp. Stat. 166/5 | Drug Court Treatment Act: Purposes |
It is the intent of the General Assembly to create specialized drug courts with the necessary flexibility to meet the drug problems in the State of Illinois. |
Drug Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Illinois | IL Const., Art. VI, § 4 | Supreme Court — Jurisdiction |
SECTION 4. SUPREME COURT - JURISDICTION (a) The Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue, mandamus, prohibition or habeas corpus and as may be necessary to the complete determination of any case on review. (b) Appeals from judgments of Circuit Courts imposing a sentence of death shall be directly to the Supreme Court as a matter of right. The Supreme Court shall provide by rule for direct appeal in other cases. (c) Appeals from the Appellate Court to the Supreme Court are a matter of right if a question under the Constitution of the United States or of this State arises for the first time in and as a result of the action of the Appellate Court, or if a division of the Appellate Court certifies that a case decided by it involves a question of such importance that the case should be decided by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court may provide by rule for appeals from the Appellate Court in other cases.
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Supreme Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Illinois | IL Const., Art. VI, § 6 | Appellate Court — Jurisdiction |
SECTION 6. APPELLATE COURT - JURISDICTION Appeals from final judgments of a Circuit Court are a matter of right to the Appellate Court in the Judicial District in which the Circuit Court is located except in cases appealable directly to the Supreme Court and except that after a trial on the merits in a criminal case, there shall be no appeal from a judgment of acquittal. The Supreme Court may provide by rule for appeals to the Appellate Court from other than final judgments of Circuit Courts. The Appellate Court may exercise original jurisdiction when necessary to the complete determination of any case on review. The Appellate Court shall have such powers of direct review of administrative action as provided by law.
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Appellate Courts in 5 judicial districts | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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Illinois | IL Const., Art. VI, § 7 | Judicial Circuits |
SECTION 7. JUDICIAL CIRCUITS (a) The State shall be divided into Judicial Circuits consisting of one or more counties. The First Judicial District shall constitute a Judicial Circuit. The Judicial Circuits within the other Judicial Districts shall be as provided by law. Circuits composed of more than one county shall be compact and of contiguous counties. The General Assembly by law may provide for the division of a circuit for the purpose of selection of Circuit Judges and for the selection of Circuit Judges from the circuit at large.
(b) Each Judicial Circuit shall have one Circuit Court with such number of Circuit Judges as provided by law. Unless otherwise provided by law, there shall be at least one Circuit Judge from each county. In the First Judicial District, unless otherwise provided by law, Cook County, Chicago, and the area outside Chicago shall be separate units for the selection of Circuit Judges, with at least twelve chosen at large from the area outside Chicago and at least thirty-six chosen at large from Chicago. (c) Circuit Judges in each circuit shall select by secret ballot a Chief Judge from their number to serve at their pleasure. Subject to the authority of the Supreme Court, the Chief Judge shall have general administrative authority over his court, including authority to provide for divisions, general or specialized, and for appropriate times and places of holding court. |
Circuit Courts | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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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.
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Supreme Judicial Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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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.
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Superior Court | Jurisdiction of the courts |
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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 |
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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 |