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.
33 Results
| State | Statute | Description/Statute Name | Statutory language | Court/legal body | Function | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Louisiana | La. Const. Art. 3 Sec. 9 | District courts - elected judges |
Section 9. Each circuit shall be divided into at least three districts, and at least one judge shall be elected from each. The circuits and districts and the number of + See morejudges as elected in each circuit on the effective date of this constitution are retained, subject to change by law enacted by two-thirds of the elected members of each house of the legislature.
|
District Courts | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Louisiana | La. Const. Ann. art. V, § 20 | Justice of the Peace/Mayor's Court - subject to change by law | Mayors' courts and justice of the peace courts existing on the effective date of this constitution are continued, subject to change by law. | Justice of the Peace Courts/Mayor's Courts | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 + See moreand establish. The powers and jurisdiction of these courts shall be defined by law.
|
Lower courts | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 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.
|
District Courts | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 by the supreme court of Idaho pursuant to article 5, section 2 of the Idaho constitution.
|
Court of Appeals | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 the district court.
|
Magistrates | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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.
|
Small Claims Department | Creation of the courts, Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Idaho | Idaho Code § 19-5603 | Drug Court -- Establishment |
The district court in each county may establish a drug court which shall include a regimen of graduated sanctions and rewards, substance abuse treatment, close court monitoring and supervision of progress, educational or vocational counseling as appropriate, and other requirements as may be established by the district court, in accordance with standards developed by the Idaho supreme court drug court and mental health court coordinating committee.
|
Drug Court | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Idaho | Idaho Code § 19-5609(1) | Mental Health Courts |
The district court in each county may establish a mental health court which shall include a regimen of graduated sanctions and rewards, mental health and other appropriate treatment, close court monitoring and supervision of progress, educational or vocational counseling as appropriate, eligibility standards and other requirements as may be established by the district court, in accordance with standards developed by the Idaho supreme court drug court and mental health court coordinating committee. No person has a right to be admitted into a mental health court. A mental health court may be operated in conjunction with a drug court.
|
Mental Health Court | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Missouri | Mo. Const. Art. 5, § 1 | Judicial Power - Constitutional Courts |
The judicial power of the state shall be vested in a supreme court, a court of appeals consisting of districts as prescribed by law, and circuit courts. |
Judicial power generally | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Missouri | Mo. Ann. Stat. § 476.010 | Courts of record |
The supreme court of the state of Missouri, the court of appeals, and the circuit courts shall be courts of record, and shall keep just and faithful records of their proceedings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, municipal divisions of the circuit courts shall not be considered courts of record, regardless of whether or not a verbatim record of proceedings before the division is kept.
|
State courts generally | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Missouri | Mo. Ann. Stat. § 478.001(2)-(3) | Treatment court divisions, definitions, establishment, purpose--referrals to certified treatment programs required, exception--completion of treatment program, effect--adult treatment court--DWI court--family treatment court--juvenile treatment court--vet |
2. A treatment court division may be established by any circuit court pursuant to sections 478.001 to 478.009 to provide an alternative for the judicial system to dispose of cases which stem from, or are otherwise impacted by, substance use. The treatment court division may include, but not be limited to, cases assigned to an adult treatment court, DWI court, family treatment court, juvenile treatment court, veterans treatment court, or any combination thereof. A treatment court shall combine judicial supervision, drug or alcohol testing, and treatment of participants. Except for good cause found by the court, a treatment court making a referral for substance use disorder treatment, when such program will receive state or federal funds in connection with such referral, shall refer the person only to a program which is certified by the department of mental health, unless no appropriate certified treatment program is located within the same county as the treatment court. Upon successful completion of the treatment court program, the charges, petition, or penalty against a treatment court participant may be dismissed, reduced, or modified, unless otherwise stated. Any fees received by a court from a defendant as payment for substance treatment programs shall not be considered court costs, charges or fines.
3. An adult treatment court may be established by any circuit court under sections 478.001 to 478.009 to provide an alternative for the judicial system to dispose of cases which stem from substance use. |
Drug treatment court | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Missouri | Mo. Ann. Stat. § 478.073(1) | Circuit realignment plan authorized--judicial conference duties--effective date--minimum number of circuits--publication by the revisor |
As set forth in this section, the general assembly authorizes the judicial conference of the State of Missouri, as established pursuant to section 476.320, to alter the geographical boundaries and territorial jurisdiction of the judicial circuits by means of a circuit realignment plan as the administration of justice may require, subject to the requirements set forth in Article V of the Constitution of Missouri.
|
Circuit courts | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Nebraska | Neb. Const. art. V, § 27 | Juvenile courts; authorization |
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9 of this Article, the Legislature may establish courts to be known as juvenile courts, with such jurisdiction and powers as the Legislature may provide. The term, qualification, compensation, and method of appointment or election of the judges of such courts, and the rules governing proceedings therein, may be fixed by the Legislature. The state shall be divided into juvenile court judicial districts that correspond to district court judicial districts until otherwise provided by law. No such court shall be established or afterwards abolished in any juvenile court judicial district unless approved by a majority of those voting on the issue.
|
Juvenile courts located in Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy Counties | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Nebraska | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-152 | Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court; creation; jurisdiction; judges; selected or retained in office |
Recognizing that (1) industrial relations between employers and employees within the State of Nebraska are affected with a vital public interest, (2) an impartial and efficient administration of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act is essential to the prosperity and well-being of the state, and (3) suitable laws should be enacted for the establishing and for the preservation of such an administration of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act, there is hereby created, pursuant to the provisions of Article V, section 1, of the Nebraska Constitution, a court, consisting of seven judges, to be selected or retained in office in accordance with the provisions of Article V, section 21, of the Nebraska Constitution and to be known as the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court, which court shall have authority to administer and enforce all of the provisions of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act, and any amendments thereof, except such as are committed to the courts of appellate jurisdiction or as otherwise provided by law.
|
Statewide Workers’ Compensation Court | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Nebraska | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-152 | Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court; creation; jurisdiction; judges; selected or retained in office |
Recognizing that (1) industrial relations between employers and employees within the State of Nebraska are affected with a vital public interest, (2) an impartial and efficient administration of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act is essential to the prosperity and well-being of the state, and (3) suitable laws should be enacted for the establishing and for the preservation of such an administration of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act, there is hereby created, pursuant to the provisions of Article V, section 1, of the Nebraska Constitution, a court, consisting of seven judges, to be selected or retained in office in accordance with the provisions of Article V, section 21, of the Nebraska Constitution and to be known as the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court, which court shall have authority to administer and enforce all of the provisions of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act, and any amendments thereof, except such as are committed to the courts of appellate jurisdiction or as otherwise provided by law.
|
Statewide Workers’ Compensation Court | Creation of the courts, Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Nebraska | Neb. Const. art. V, § 1 | Power vested in courts; Chief Justice; powers |
The judicial power of the state shall be vested in a Supreme Court, an appellate court, district courts, county courts, in and for each county, with one or more judges for each county or with one judge for two or more counties, as the Legislature shall provide, and such other courts inferior to the Supreme Court as may be created by law. In accordance with rules established by the Supreme Court and not in conflict with other provisions of this Constitution and laws governing such matters, general administrative authority over all courts in this state shall be vested in the Supreme Court and shall be exercised by the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice shall be the executive head of the courts and may appoint an administrative director thereof.
|
Courts Generally | Creation of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Nebraska | Neb. Const. art. V, § 2 | Supreme Court; number of judges; quorum; jurisdiction; retired judges, temporary duty; court divisions; assignments by Chief Justice |
The Supreme Court shall consist of seven judges, one of whom shall be the Chief Justice. A majority of the judges shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. A majority of the members sitting shall have authority to pronounce a decision except in cases involving the constitutionality of an act of the Legislature. No legislative act shall be held unconstitutional except by the concurrence of five judges. The Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction in all cases relating to the revenue, civil cases in which the state is a party, mandamus, quo warrantor, habeas corpus, election contests involving state officers other than members of the Legislature, and such appellate jurisdiction as may be provided by law. The Legislature may provide that any judge of the Supreme Court or judge of the appellate court created pursuant to Article V, section 1, of this Constitution who has retired may be called upon for temporary duty by the Supreme Court. Whenever necessary for the prompt submission and determination of causes, the Supreme Court may appoint judges of the district court or the appellate court to act as associate judges of the Supreme Court, sufficient in number, with the judges of the Supreme Court, to constitute two divisions of the court of five judges in each division. Whenever judges of the district court or the appellate court are so acting, the court shall sit in two divisions, and four of the judges thereof shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. Judges of the district court or the appellate court so appointed shall serve during the pleasure of the court and shall have all the powers of judges of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice shall make assignments of judges to the divisions of the court, preside over the division of which he or she is a member, and designate the presiding judge of the other division. The judges of the Supreme Court, sitting without division, shall hear and determine all cases involving the constitutionality of a statute and all appeals involving capital cases and may review any decision rendered by a division of the court. In such cases, in the event of the disability or disqualification by interest or otherwise of any of the judges of the Supreme Court, the court may appoint judges of the district court or the appellate court to sit temporarily as judges of the Supreme Court, sufficient to constitute a full court of seven judges. Judges of the district court or the appellate court shall receive no additional salary by virtue of their appointment and service as herein provided, but they shall be reimbursed their necessary traveling and hotel expenses.
|
Supreme Court | Creation of the courts, Jurisdiction of the courts |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Nebraska | Neb. Const. art. V, § 1 | Power vested in courts; Chief Justice; powers |
The judicial power of the state shall be vested in a Supreme Court, an appellate court, district courts, county courts, in and for each county, with one or more judges for each county or with one judge for two or more counties, as the Legislature shall provide, and such other courts inferior to the Supreme Court as may be created by law. In accordance with rules established by the Supreme Court and not in conflict with other provisions of this Constitution and laws governing such matters, general administrative authority over all courts in this state shall be vested in the Supreme Court and shall be exercised by the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice shall be the executive head of the courts and may appoint an administrative director thereof.
|
Court of Appeals | Creation of the courts |