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Ohio Ohio Rev. Code § 2901.11(C) Criminal law jurisdiction

(1) This state includes the land and water within its boundaries and the air space above that land and water, with respect to which this state has either exclusive or

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concurrent legislative jurisdiction. Where the boundary between this state and another state or foreign country is disputed, the disputed territory is conclusively presumed to be within this state for purposes of this section.


(2) The courts of common pleas of Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Clermont, Columbiana, Gallia, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Scioto, and Washington counties have jurisdiction beyond the north or northwest shore of the Ohio river extending to the opposite shore line, between the extended boundary lines of any adjacent counties or adjacent state. Each of those courts of common pleas has concurrent jurisdiction on the Ohio river with any adjacent court of common pleas that borders on that river and with any court of Kentucky or of West Virginia that borders on the Ohio river and that has jurisdiction on the Ohio river under the law of Kentucky or the law of West Virginia, whichever is applicable, or under federal law.

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Ohio Ohio Rev. Code § 2931.03 Jurisdiction of court of common pleas

The court of common pleas has original jurisdiction of all crimes and offenses, except in cases of minor offenses the exclusive jurisdiction of which is vested in courts inferior to

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the court of common pleas.
A judge of a court of common pleas does not have the authority to dismiss a criminal complaint, charge, information, or indictment solely at the request of the complaining witness and over the objection of the prosecuting attorney or other chief legal officer who is responsible for the prosecution of the case.

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Pennsylvania 42 Pa.C.S.A. PA ST Pt. II, Subpt. A, Art. B, Ch. 7 Supreme court jurisdiction
§ 721. Original jurisdiction.The Supreme Court shall have original but not exclusive jurisdiction of all cases of: (1) Habeas corpus. (2) Mandamus or prohibition to courts of inferior jurisdiction. (3)
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Quo warranto as to any officer of Statewide jurisdiction. § 722. Direct appeals from courts of common pleas. The Supreme Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of the courts of common pleas in the following classes of cases: (1) Matters prescribed by general rule. (2) The right to public office. (3) Matters where the qualifications, tenure or right to serve, or the manner of service, of any member of the judiciary is drawn in question. (4) Automatic review of sentences as provided by 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9546(d) (relating to relief and order) and 9711(h) (relating to review of death sentence). (5) Supersession of a district attorney by an Attorney General or by a court or where the matter relates to the convening, supervision, administration, operation or discharge of an investigating grand jury or otherwise directly affects such a grand jury or any investigation conducted by it. (6) Matters where the right or power of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision to create or issue indebtedness is drawn in direct question. (7) Matters where the court of common pleas has held invalid as repugnant to the Constitution, treaties or laws of the United States, or to the Constitution of this Commonwealth, any treaty or law of the United States or any provision of the Constitution of, or of any statute of, this Commonwealth, or any provision of any home rule charter. (8) Matters where the right to practice law is drawn in direct question. § 723. Appeals from Commonwealth Court. (a) General rule.--The Supreme Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of the Commonwealth Court entered in any matter which was originally commenced in the Commonwealth Court except an order entered in a matter which constitutes an appeal to the Commonwealth Court from another court, a magisterial district judge or another government unit. (b) Board of Finance and Revenue matters.--Any final order of the Commonwealth Court entered in any appeal from a decision of the Board of Finance and Revenue shall be appealable to the Supreme Court, as of right, under this section. § 724. Allowance of appeals from Superior and Commonwealth Courts. (a) General rule.--Except as provided by section 9781(f) (relating to limitation on additional appellate review), final orders of the Superior Court and final orders of the Commonwealth Court not appealable under section 723 (relating to appeals from Commonwealth Court) may be reviewed by the Supreme Court upon allowance of appeal by any two justices of the Supreme Court upon petition of any party to the matter. If the petition shall be granted, the Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction to review the order in the manner provided by section 5105(d)(1) (relating to scope of appeal). (b) Improvident appeals.--If an appeal is improvidently taken to the Supreme Court under section 723 in a case where the proper mode of review is by petition for allowance of appeal under this section, this alone shall not be a ground for dismissal, but the papers whereon the appeal was taken shall be regarded and acted on as a petition for allowance of appeal and as if duly filed at the time the appeal was taken. § 725. Direct appeals from constitutional and judicial agencies. The Supreme Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of the following constitutional and judicial agencies: (1) Legislative Reapportionment Commission. (2) Court of Judicial Discipline, except matters within the exclusive jurisdiction of a special tribunal as established under section 18(c)(1) of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania. (3) The agency vested with the power to determine whether those members of the minor judiciary required to do so have completed a course of training and instruction in the duties of their respective offices and passed an examination. (4) The agency vested with the power to admit or recommend the admission of persons to the bar and the practice of law. (5) The agency vested with the power to discipline or recommend the discipline of attorneys at law. § 726. Extraordinary jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Supreme Court may, on its own motion or upon petition of any party, in any matter pending before any court or magisterial district judge of this Commonwealth involving an issue of immediate public importance, assume plenary jurisdiction of such matter at any stage thereof and enter a final order or otherwise cause right and justice to be done.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa.C.S.A. PA ST Pt. II, Subpt. A, Art. B, Ch. 7 Superior Court jurisdiction
§ 741. Original jurisdiction.The Superior Court shall have no original jurisdiction, except in cases of mandamus and prohibition to courts of inferior jurisdiction where such relief is ancillary to
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matters within its appellate jurisdiction, and except that it, or any judge thereof, shall have full power and authority when and as often as there may be occasion, to issue writs of habeas corpus under like conditions returnable to the said court. § 742. Appeals from courts of common pleas. The Superior Court shall have exclusive appellate jurisdiction of all appeals from final orders of the courts of common pleas, regardless of the nature of the controversy or the amount involved, except such classes of appeals as are by any provision of this chapter within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court or the Commonwealth Court.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa.C.S.A. PA ST Pt. II, Subpt. A, Art. B, Ch. 7 Commonwealth Court jurisdiction
§ 761. Original jurisdiction.(a) General rule.--The Commonwealth Court shall have original jurisdiction of all civil actions or proceedings: (1) Against the Commonwealth government, including any officer thereof, acting
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in his official capacity, except: (i) actions or proceedings in the nature of applications for a writ of habeas corpus or post-conviction relief not ancillary to proceedings within the appellate jurisdiction of the court; (ii) eminent domain proceedings; (iii) actions or proceedings conducted pursuant to Chapter 85 (relating to matters affecting government units); (iv) actions or proceedings conducted pursuant to the act of May 20, 1937 (P.L.728, No.193), referred to as the Board of Claims Act; and (v) actions or proceedings in the nature of trespass as to which the Commonwealth government formerly enjoyed sovereign or other immunity and actions or proceedings in the nature of assumpsit relating to such actions or proceedings in the nature of trespass. (2) By the Commonwealth government, including any officer thereof, acting in his official capacity, except eminent domain proceedings. (3) Arising under Article V of the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.789, No.285), known as "The Insurance Department Act of 1921." (4) Original jurisdiction of which is vested in the Commonwealth Court by any statute hereafter enacted. (b) Concurrent and exclusive jurisdiction.--The jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Court under subsection (a) shall be exclusive except as provided in section 721 (relating to original jurisdiction) and except with respect to actions or proceedings by the Commonwealth government, including any officer thereof, acting in his official capacity, where the jurisdiction of the court shall be concurrent with the several courts of common pleas. (c) Ancillary matters.--The Commonwealth Court shall have original jurisdiction in cases of mandamus and prohibition to courts of inferior jurisdiction and other government units where such relief is ancillary to matters within its appellate jurisdiction, and it, or any judge thereof, shall have full power and authority when and as often as there may be occasion, to issue writs of habeas corpus under like conditions returnable to the said court. To the extent prescribed by general rule the Commonwealth Court shall have ancillary jurisdiction over any claim or other matter which is related to a claim or other matter otherwise within its exclusive original jurisdiction.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa.C.S.A. PA ST Pt. II, Subpt. A, Art. B, Ch. 7 County Court of Common Pleas jurisdiction
§ 931. Original jurisdiction and venue.(a) General rule.--Except where exclusive original jurisdiction of an action or proceeding is by statute or by general rule adopted pursuant to section
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503 (relating to reassignment of matters) vested in another court of this Commonwealth, the courts of common pleas shall have unlimited original jurisdiction of all actions and proceedings, including all actions and proceedings heretofore cognizable by law or usage in the courts of common pleas. (b) Concurrent and exclusive jurisdiction.--The jurisdiction of the courts of common pleas under this section shall be exclusive except with respect to actions and proceedings concurrent jurisdiction of which is by statute or by general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 vested in another court of this Commonwealth or in the magisterial district judges. § 932. Appeals from minor judiciary. Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), each court of common pleas shall have exclusive jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of the minor judiciary established within the judicial district. § 933. Appeals from government agencies. (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), each court of common pleas shall have jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of government agencies in the following cases: (1) Appeals from Commonwealth agencies in the following cases: (i) Determinations of the Department of Health in connection with any matters concerning birth records. Except as prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be as provided in 20 Pa.C.S. § 711(9) (relating to birth records) and 20 Pa.C.S. § 713 (relating to special provisions for Philadelphia County). (ii) Determinations of the Department of Transportation appealable under the following provisions of Title 75 (relating to vehicles): Section 1377 (relating to judicial review). Section 1550 (relating to judicial review). Section 4724(b) (relating to judicial review). Section 7303(b) (relating to judicial review). Section 7503(b) (relating to judicial review). Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue shall be in the county of the principal place of business of any salvor or messenger service, the location of any inspection station involved, the county where the arrest for a violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance) was made in appeals involving the suspension of operating privileges under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1547 (relating to chemical testing to determine amount of alcohol or controlled substance) or the residence of any individual appellant where the venue is not otherwise fixed by this sentence. In the case of a nonresident individual venue, except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, shall be in the county in which the offense giving rise to the recall, cancellation, suspension or revocation of operating privileges occurred. (iii) (Deleted by amendment). (iv) Determinations of the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board appealable under the act of June 21, 1939 (P.L.566, No.284), known as The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be as provided in section 427 of the act. (v) Determinations of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board appealable under the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, except matters appealable under section 433, 444 or 710 of the act. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be as provided in the act. (vi) Determinations of the Department of Revenue reviewable under Article XXI of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, or under any predecessor statute, in connection with the administration of the estate of a decedent. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be in the court having jurisdiction over the administration of the related estate. (vii) (Deleted by amendment). (viii) (Deleted by amendment). (ix) Determinations of the Department of Labor and Industry or the Department of Commerce reviewable under the act of December 15, 1980 (P.L.1203, No.222), known as the Building Energy Conservation Act. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, venue shall be in the county where the building is located. (2) Appeals from government agencies, except Commonwealth agencies, under Subchapter B of Chapter 7 of Title 2 (relating to judicial review of local agency action) or otherwise. (3) Appeals jurisdiction of which is vested in the courts of common pleas by any statute hereafter enacted. (b) Awards of arbitrators.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503, each court of common pleas shall have jurisdiction of petitions for review of an award of arbitrators appointed in conformity with statute to arbitrate a dispute between a government agency, except a Commonwealth agency, and an employee of such agency. The application shall be deemed an appeal from a government agency for the purposes of section 762(4) (relating to appeals from courts of common pleas) and Chapter 55 (relating to limitation of time). (c) Concurrent and exclusive jurisdiction.--Except as otherwise provided by statute or prescribed by general rule adopted pursuant to section 503: (1) The jurisdiction of a court of common pleas of a judicial district under this section shall be exclusive as to a government agency which has jurisdiction only within such judicial district, and shall be concurrent with the courts of common pleas of all judicial districts in which the government agency has jurisdiction where such agency has jurisdiction in more than one judicial district. (2) Whenever proceedings are commenced in two or more courts with respect to the same determination of a government agency, exclusive jurisdiction shall be vested in the court having jurisdiction in which such proceedings are first commenced.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 301 Unified judicial system
The judicial power of the Commonwealth shall be vested in a unified judicial system consisting of the:(1) Supreme Court.(2) Superior Court.(3) Commonwealth Court.(4) Courts of common pleas.(5) Community courts.(6) Philadelphia
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Municipal Court.(7) Pittsburgh Magistrates Court.(8) Traffic Court of Philadelphia.(9) Magisterial district judges. All courts and magisterial district judges and their jurisdiction shall be in this unified judicial system.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1123 Jurisdiction and venue - Philadelphia Municipal Court
(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), the Philadelphia Municipal Court shall have jurisdiction of the following
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matters:(1) Summary offenses, except those arising out of the same episode or transaction involving a delinquent act for which a petition alleging delinquency is filed under Chapter 63 (relating to juvenile matters). (2) Criminal offenses by any person (other than a juvenile) for which no prison term may be imposed or which are punishable by imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, including indictable offenses under Title 75 (relating to vehicles). In cases under this paragraph the defendant shall have no right of trial by jury in the municipal court, but shall have the right of appeal for trial de novo, including the right of trial by jury, to the court of common pleas. The judges of the municipal court exercising jurisdiction under this paragraph shall have the same jurisdiction in probation and parole arising out of sentences imposed by them as judges of the court of common pleas. (3) Matters arising under the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L. 69, No. 20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951.1 The judges of the Philadelphia Municipal Court shall have the power to enter judgments exceeding $5,000 in matters arising under this subsection. Appeals from a judgment of the municipal court under this subsection shall be to the court of common pleas in accordance with local rules of court established by the administrative judge of the trial division. Those rules shall not be inconsistent with Statewide rules of procedure as established by the Supreme Court. (4) Civil actions, except actions by or against a Commonwealth party as defined by section 8501 (relating to definitions), wherein the sum demanded does not exceed $12,000, exclusive of interest and costs, in the following classes of actions: (i) In assumpsit. (ii) In trespass, including all forms of trespass and trespass on the case. (iii) For fines and penalties by any government agency. A plaintiff may waive a portion of his claim of more than $12,000 so as to bring the matter within the monetary jurisdiction of the municipal court. Such waiver shall be revoked automatically if the defendant appeals the final order of the municipal court. In cases under this paragraph the defendant shall have no right of trial by jury in the municipal court, but shall have the right to appeal for trial de novo, including the right of trial by jury, to the court of common pleas, in accordance with local rules of court established by the administrative judge of the trial division. These rules shall not be inconsistent with Statewide rules of procedure as established by the Supreme Court. It is the purpose of this paragraph to establish an expeditious small claims procedure whereby it shall not be necessary for the litigants to obtain counsel. Judgments by confession shall not be entered in the municipal court. (5) As commissioners to preside at arraignments, fix and accept bail, issue warrants and perform duties of a similar nature, including the jurisdiction of a committing magistrate in all criminal proceedings. In addition to the exercise of the powers by the judges set forth in this paragraph, the Philadelphia Municipal Court, through the president judge and a majority of the judges of the court, shall have the power to appoint for four-year terms six arraignment court magistrates, to administer oaths and affirmations, preside at preliminary arraignments, assign counsel in certain cases, issue criminal complaints, fix bail and issue arrest warrants and search and seizure warrants. The arraignment court magistrates shall be employees of the Commonwealth and they shall receive an annual salary equal to the salary of an associate judge of the Traffic Court of Philadelphia. The method of selection and appointment and removal of arraignment court magistrates and establishing standards of conduct and the rights, responsibilities and authority of the arraignment court magistrates and the procedures for appealing from the decisions of the arraignment court magistrates shall be provided by local rules adopted by the municipal court. (5.1) In addition to the exercise of the powers by the judges set forth in this section, the President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court may appoint arraignment court magistrates, persons who complete a training program as shall be provided by local rules adopted by the President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court, or attorneys who are in good standing and are admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar as judges pro tempore to accept guilty pleas and impose sentences in accordance with pleas for summary offenses. A judge pro tempore must be an independent contractor hired by the Philadelphia Municipal Court and shall receive such compensation and shall serve at such hours as agreed to between the judge pro tempore and the President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. The methods of selection, appointment and removal of judges pro tempore and of establishing standards of conduct and the rights, responsibilities and authority of the judges pro tempore and the procedures for appealing decisions of the judges pro tempore shall be provided by local rules adopted by the President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. (6) Civil actions wherein the sum demanded does not exceed $15,000 in matters involving judgments of real estate taxes and school taxes levied by cities of the first class. (7) Actions to enjoin any nuisance caused by the operation of a licensee or occurring on licensed premises subject to the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L. 90, No. 21), known as the Liquor Code.2 (8) Any action to enjoin a public nuisance. The action to enjoin may be brought by any person who resides or has a place of business within 500 feet of the location of the alleged nuisance. (9) Prosecutions for summary offenses arising under: (i) Title 75; or (ii) an ordinance of a political subdivision enacted pursuant to Title 75. (a.1) Appeal from contempt citation or nuisance order.--There shall be a right to appeal to the Superior Court of a contempt citation issued by a municipal court judge, but the appeal shall be limited to a review of the record. There shall be a right of appeal to the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County of an order issued by a municipal court judge in any action under subsection (a)(7) or (8), but the appeal shall be limited to a review of the record. (b) Concurrent and exclusive jurisdiction.--The jurisdiction of the municipal court under this section shall be concurrent with the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County except with respect to matters specified in subsection (a)(2), as to which the jurisdiction of the municipal court shall be exclusive except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1143 Pittsburg Magistrates Court - jurisdiction and venue
(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters) the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court shall have jurisdiction of all of
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the following matters:(1) Criminal complaints accusing any person of the commission of any felony or misdemeanor, where such felony or misdemeanor has been committed within the corporate limits of the City of Pittsburgh, and to issue warrants for the arrest of such person so accused, administer oaths and hold preliminary hearings in all such cases, and commit to jail, or bind over for trial or discharge such accused person, as the evidence produced at such hearing may warrant. The court shall have power to admit to bail as prescribed by general rules. (2) Arrests upon view, or upon complaint made and warrant issued, by the police of the City of Pittsburgh, of persons who may be found engaged in or be charged with drunkenness, disorderly conduct, selling liquor contrary to law, maintaining a disorderly house or bawdy house, lewd, indecent or lascivious behavior on the streets or elsewhere, gambling, creating riots or disturbances, vagrants, beggars, prostitutes, disturbers of the public peace, known or reputed pickpockets, burglars, thieves, watch stuffers, cheating, swindling, persons who abuse their families, and suspicious persons who can give no reasonable account of themselves, or violating any of the laws or ordinances of such city. (3) Civil claims for the recovery of fines and penalties imposed by any ordinance of the City of Pittsburgh, or by any ordinance or regulation relating to housing and health administered and enforced by a county health department where a violation takes place in such city, and cases of summary conviction arising under the laws and ordinances of or applicable to such city and under the laws, ordinances, rules and regulations relating to housing and health administered and enforced by a county department of health where a violation takes place in such city, with full power to hear the said cases, administer oaths or affirmations therein, decide the same, enforce the penalty, collect the fine or commit to prison as the case may be according to the provisions of the law and ordinances applicable thereto. (4) Matters within the jurisdiction of the court when sitting as the Traffic Court of Pittsburgh.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1302 (West) Traffic court - jurisdiction and venue
(a) General rule.--Except as set forth in subsection (a.1) or as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), each traffic court
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shall have jurisdiction of all prosecutions for summary offenses arising under:(1) Title 75 (relating to vehicles). (2) Any ordinance of any political subdivision enacted pursuant to Title 75.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1341 Third class city traffic courts authorized
Any city of the third class may establish by ordinance a traffic court which shall be a court not of record. The court shall be held by such of the
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magisterial district judges of the city as shall be designated by the president judge of the court of common pleas upon petition by the city. If established, the court shall be for the city so establishing it.
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South Carolina S.C. Const. art. V, § 5 Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
The Supreme Court shall have power to issue writs or orders of injunction, mandamus, quo warranto, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, and other original and remedial writs. The Court shall have
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appellate jurisdiction only in cases of equity, and in such appeals they shall review the findings of fact as well as the law, except in cases where the facts are settled by a jury and the verdict not set aside. The Supreme Court shall constitute a court for the correction of errors at law under such regulations as the General Assembly may prescribe.
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South Carolina S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-200 Jurisdiction of Court; limitations
(a) Except as limited by subsection (b) and Section 14-8-260, the court has jurisdiction over any case in which an appeal is taken from an order, judgment, or decree of
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the circuit court, family court, a final decision of an agency, a final decision of an administrative law judge, or the final decision of the Workers' Compensation Commission. This jurisdiction is appellate only, and the court shall apply the same scope of review that the Supreme Court would apply in a similar case. The court has the same authority to issue writs of supersedeas, grant stays, and grant petitions for bail as the Supreme Court would have in a similar case. The court, to the extent the Supreme Court may by rule provide for it to do so, has jurisdiction to entertain petitions for writs of certiorari in post-conviction relief matters pursuant to Section 17-27-100. (b) Jurisdiction of the court does not extend to appeals of the following, the appeal from which lies of right directly to the Supreme Court: (1) a final judgment from the circuit court which includes a sentence of death; (2) a final decision of the Public Service Commission setting public utility rates pursuant to Title 58; (3) a final judgment involving a challenge on state or federal grounds, to the constitutionality of a state law or county or municipal ordinance where the principal issue is one of the constitutionality of the law or ordinance; however, in a case where the Supreme Court finds that the constitutional question raised is not a significant one, the Supreme Court may transfer the case to the court for final judgment; (4) a final judgment from the circuit court involving the authorization, issuance, or proposed issuance of general obligation debt, revenue, institutional, industrial, or hospital bonds of the State, its agencies, political subdivisions, public service districts, counties, and municipalities, or any other indebtedness authorized by Article X of the Constitution of this State; (5) a final judgment from the circuit court pertaining to elections and election procedure; (6) an order limiting an investigation by a state grand jury pursuant to Section 14-7-1630; and (7) an order of the family court relating to an abortion by a minor pursuant to Section 44-41-33.
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South Carolina S.C. Const. art. V, § 11 Jurisdiction of Circuit Court
The Circuit Court shall be a general trial court with original jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases, except those cases in which exclusive jurisdiction shall be given to inferior courts,
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and shall have such appellate jurisdiction as provided by law.
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South Carolina Rule 53, SCRCP Masters and special referees
(b) References. In an action where the parties consent, in a default case, or an action for foreclosure, some or all of the causes of action in a case may
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be referred to a master or special referee by order of a circuit judge or the clerk of court. In all other actions, the circuit court may, upon application of any party or upon its own motion, direct a reference of some or all of the causes of action in a case. Any party may request a jury pursuant to Rule 38 on any or all issues triable of right by a jury and, upon the filing of a jury demand, the matter shall be returned to the circuit court. A case shall not be referred to a master or special referee for the purpose of making a report to the circuit court. The clerk shall promptly provide the master or special referee with a copy of the order of reference. (c) Powers. Once referred, the master or special referee shall exercise all power and authority which a circuit judge sitting without a jury would have in a similar matter.
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South Carolina S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-510; 63-3-520; 63-3-530 Exclusive original jurisdiction
(A) Except as otherwise provided herein, the court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction and shall be the sole court for initiating action: (1) Concerning any child living or found within the
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geographical limits of its jurisdiction: (a) who is neglected as to proper or necessary support or education as required by law, or as to medical, psychiatric, psychological or other care necessary to his well-being, or who is abandoned by his parent or other custodian; (b) whose occupation, behavior, condition, environment or associations are such as to injure or endanger his welfare or that of others; (c) who is beyond the control of his parent or other custodian; (d) who is alleged to have violated or attempted to violate any state or local law or municipal ordinance, regardless of where the violation occurred except as provided in Section 63-3-520; (e) whose custody is the subject of controversy, except in those cases where the law now gives other courts concurrent jurisdiction. In the consideration of these cases, the court shall have concurrent jurisdiction to hear and determine the issue of custody and support. (2) For the treatment or commitment to any mental institution of a mentally defective or mentally disordered or emotionally disturbed child. Provided, that nothing herein is intended to conflict with the authority of probate courts in dealing with mental cases. (3) Concerning any child seventeen years of age or over, living or found within the geographical limits of the court's jurisdiction, alleged to have violated or attempted to violate any State or local law or municipal ordinance prior to having become seventeen years of age and such person shall be dealt with under the provisions of this title relating to children. (4) For the detention of a juvenile in a juvenile detention facility who is charged with committing a criminal offense when detention in a secure facility is found to be necessary pursuant to the standards set forth in Section 63-19-820 and when the facility exists in, or is otherwise available to, the county in which the crime occurred. (B) Whenever the court has acquired the jurisdiction of any child under seventeen years of age, jurisdiction continues so long as, in the judgment of the court, it may be necessary to retain jurisdiction for the correction or education of the child, but jurisdiction shall terminate when the child attains the age of twenty-one years. Any child who has been adjudicated delinquent and placed on probation by the court remains under the authority of the court only until the expiration of the specified term of his probation. This specified term of probation may expire before but not after the eighteenth birthday of the child. HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2. SECTION 63-3-510. Exclusive original jurisdiction. Section effective July 1, 2019. See, also, section 63-3-510 effective until July 1, 2019. See Editor's Note for contingency. (A) Except as otherwise provided herein, the court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction and shall be the sole court for initiating action: (1) Concerning any child living or found within the geographical limits of its jurisdiction: (a) who is neglected as to proper or necessary support or education as required by law, or as to medical, psychiatric, psychological, or other care necessary to his well-being, or who is abandoned by his parent or other custodian; (b) whose occupation, behavior, condition, environment, or associations are such as to injure or endanger his welfare or that of others; (c) who is beyond the control of his parent or other custodian; (d) who is alleged to have violated or attempted to violate any state or local law or municipal ordinance, regardless of where the violation occurred except as provided in Section 63-3-520; (e) whose custody is the subject of controversy, except in those cases where the law now gives other courts concurrent jurisdiction. In the consideration of these cases, the court shall have concurrent jurisdiction to hear and determine the issue of custody and support. (2) For the treatment or commitment to any mental institution of a mentally defective or mentally disordered or emotionally disturbed child. Provided, that nothing herein is intended to conflict with the authority of probate courts in dealing with mental cases. (3) Concerning any person eighteen years of age or over, living or found within the geographical limits of the court's jurisdiction, alleged to have violated or attempted to violate any state or local law or municipal ordinance prior to having become eighteen years of age and such person shall be dealt with under the provisions of this title relating to children. (4) For the detention of a juvenile in a juvenile detention facility who is charged with committing a criminal offense when detention in a secure facility is found to be necessary pursuant to the standards set forth in Section 63-19-820 and when the facility exists in, or is otherwise available to, the county in which the crime occurred. (B) Whenever the court has acquired the jurisdiction of any child under eighteen years of age, jurisdiction continues so long as, in the judgment of the court, it may be necessary to retain jurisdiction for the correction or education of the child, but jurisdiction shall terminate when the child attains the age of twenty-two years. Any child who has been adjudicated delinquent and placed on probation by the court remains under the authority of the court only until the expiration of the specified term of his probation. This specified term of probation may expire before but not after the twentieth birthday of the child.; (A) The magistrate courts and municipal courts of this State have concurrent jurisdiction with the family courts for the trial of persons under seventeen years of age charged with traffic violations or violations of the provisions of Title 50 relating to fish, game, and watercraft when these courts would have jurisdiction of the offense charged if committed by an adult. (B) The family court shall report to the Department of Motor Vehicles all adjudications of a juvenile for moving traffic violations and other violations that affect the juvenile's privilege to operate a motor vehicle including, but not limited to, controlled substance and alcohol violations as required by other courts of this State pursuant to Section 56-1-330 and shall report to the Department of Natural Resources adjudications of the provisions of Title 50.; (A) The family court has exclusive jurisdiction: (1) to hear and determine matters which come within the provisions of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act; (2) to hear and determine actions for divorce a vinculo matrimonii, separate support and maintenance, legal separation, and in other marital litigation between the parties, and for settlement of all legal and equitable rights of the parties in the actions in and to the real and personal property of the marriage and attorney's fees, if requested by either party in the pleadings; (3) to hear and determine actions for and related to the adoption of children and adults; (4) to hear and determine actions for termination of parental rights, whether such action is in connection with an action for adoption or apart therefrom; (5) (Reserved) (6) to hear and determine actions for the annulment of marriage; (7) (Reserved) (8) to hear and determine actions for changing names, whether in connection with a divorce or a separate support and maintenance action or apart therefrom; (9) to hear and determine actions for the correction of birth records; (10) to consent to the enlistment of a minor in the military service or the employment of a minor, if a minor has no one standing in loco parentis to do so; (11) to hear and determine proceedings within the county to compel the support of a spouse or child, whether legitimate or illegitimate; (12) for the protection, guardianship and disposition of neglected or dependent minors in proceedings properly brought before it for the support of a spouse or child; (13) in all cases or proceedings within the county against persons charged with failure to obey an order of the court made pursuant to authority conferred by law; (14) to order support of a spouse or child, or both, irrespective of whether they are likely to become a public charge; (15) to include in the requirements of an order for support the providing of necessary shelter, food, clothing, care, medical attention, expenses of confinement, both before and after the birth, the expense of educating his or her child and other proper and reasonable expenses; (16) to require of persons legally chargeable with the support of a spouse or child, who are possessed of sufficient means or who are able to earn such means, the payment weekly, or at other fixed periods, of a fair and reasonable sum for such support, or as a contribution toward such support, according to the means of the persons so chargeable; (17) To make all orders for support run until further order of the court, except that orders for child support run until the child turns eighteen years of age or until the child is married or becomes self-supporting, as determined by the court, whichever occurs first, or past the age of eighteen years if the child is enrolled and still attending high school, not to exceed high school graduation or the end of the school year after the child reaches nineteen years of age, whichever is later; or in accordance with a preexisting agreement or order to provide for child support past the age of eighteen years; or in the discretion of the court, to provide for child support past age eighteen when there are physical or mental disabilities of the child or other exceptional circumstances that warrant the continuation of child support beyond age eighteen for as long as the physical or mental disabilities or exceptional circumstances continue. When child support is terminated due to the child turning eighteen years of age, graduating from high school, or reaching the end of the school year when the child is nineteen, no arrearage may be incurred as to that child after the date of the child's eighteenth birthday, the date of the child's graduation from high school, or the last day of the school year when the child is nineteen, whichever date terminated the child support obligation. (18) to make an order for support of a husband or wife and children by his or her spouse, even though he or she may have left the home, in cases where the spouse's conduct or condition or his or her cruel or inhuman behavior made it unsafe or improper for the deserting spouse to continue to live with him or her. Such orders may require either spouse or any other party to the proceeding: (a) to stay away from the home or from the other or either spouse or children; (b) to permit either spouse to visit the children at stated periods; (c) to abstain from offensive conduct against the other spouse or either of them, or against the children; (d) to give proper attention to the care of the home; (e) to refrain from acts of commission or omission that tend to make the home not a proper place for the other, or either spouse, or the children; (19) in furtherance of the complete disposition of cases in the jurisdiction of the court, to bring in and make parties to any proceedings pending in the court any person or persons charged with or alleged to be interfering with the marital relationship between a husband and wife, in violation of the law or of the rights of either party to the marriage, or whose presence to the proceedings may be found necessary to a complete determination of the issues therein, or the relief to which the parties thereto, or any of them, may be entitled; and shall have the power to enjoin and restrain such interference and to punish for contempt of court violations of such injunctions or restraining orders; (20) to award the custody of the children, during the term of any order of protection, to either spouse, or to any other proper person or institution; (21) to determine the manner in which sums ordered paid for support shall be paid and applied, either to a person through the court, through the clerk of court, or through a centralized wage withholding system if required by federal statute or regulation; (22) to require a person ordered to support another to give security by a written undertaking that he will pay the sums ordered by the court for such support and, upon the failure of any person to give such security by a written undertaking when required by order of the court, to punish such person for contempt and, when appropriate, to discharge such undertaking; (23) in lieu of requiring an undertaking, to suspend sentence and place on probation a person who has failed to support another as required by law, and to determine the conditions of such probation and require them to be observed; to revoke such suspension of sentence and probation, where circumstances warrant it; and to discharge a respondent from probation; (24) to release on probation prior to the expiration of the full term a person committed to jail for failure to obey an order of the court, where the court is satisfied that the best interest of the family and the community will be served thereby; (25) to modify or vacate any order issued by the court; (26) to order either before, during or after a hearing a mental, physical and psychiatric examination as circumstances warrant; (27) to exclude the public from the courtroom in a proper case; (28) to send processes or any other mandates in any matter in which it has jurisdiction into any county of the State for service or execution in like manner and with the same force and effect as similar processes or mandates of the circuit courts, as provided by law; (29) to compel the attendance of witnesses; (30) to make any order necessary to carry out and enforce the provisions of this title, and to hear and determine any questions of support, custody, separation, or any other matter over which the court has jurisdiction, without the intervention of a jury; however, the court may not issue an order which prohibits a custodial parent from moving his residence to a location within the State unless the court finds a compelling reason or unless the parties have agreed to such a prohibition; (31) to require spouse to furnish support or to be liable for nonsupport, as provided above, if, at the time of the filing of the petition for supports: (a) he is residing or domiciled in the county or when such area is the matrimonial domicile of the parties; or (b) he is not residing or domiciled in the area referred to in subsection (A), but is found therein at such time, provided the petitioner is so residing or domiciled at such time; or (c) he is neither residing or domiciled nor found in such area but, prior to such time and while so residing or domiciled, he shall have failed to furnish such support, or shall have abandoned his spouse or child and thereafter shall have failed to furnish such support, provided that the petitioner is so residing or domiciled at that time; (32) the petitioner need not continue to reside or be domiciled in such area where the cause of action arose, as provided in subitems (a) and (b) of item (31) of this section, if the conduct of the respondent has been such as to make it unsafe or improper for her to so reside or be domiciled, and the petitioner may bring action in the court of the jurisdiction wherein she is residing or has become domiciled; (33) to order visitation for the grandparent of a minor child where either or both parents of the minor child is or are deceased, or are divorced, or are living separate and apart in different habitats, if the court finds that: (1) the child's parents or guardians are unreasonably depriving the grandparent of the opportunity to visit with the child, including denying visitation of the minor child to the grandparent for a period exceeding ninety days; and (2) awarding grandparent visitation would not interfere with the parent-child relationship; and: (a) the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child's parents or guardians are unfit; or (b) the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that there are compelling circumstances to overcome the presumption that the parental decision is in the child's best interest. The judge presiding over this matter may award attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party. For purposes of this item, "grandparent" means the natural or adoptive parent of a natural or adoptive parent of a minor child. (34) to order custody with all rights of guardianship as described in Section 21-21-55; (35) to hear and determine actions for protection from domestic abuse; (36) to issue orders compelling public officials and officers to perform official acts under Title 63, the Children's Code, Protection from Domestic Abuse Act, and Chapter 35, Title 43, Omnibus Adult Protection Act; (37) to appoint guardians ad litem in actions pertaining to custody or visitation pursuant to Section 63-3-810; (38) to hear and determine an action where either party in his or her complaint, answer, counterclaim, or motion for pendente lite relief prays for the allowance of suit money pendente lite and permanently. In this action the court shall allow a reasonable sum for the claim if it appears well-founded. Suit money, including attorney's fees, may be assessed for or against a party to an action brought in or subject to the jurisdiction of the family court. An award of temporary attorney's fees or suit costs must not be stayed by an appeal of the award; (39) to require the parties to engage in court-mandated mediation pursuant to Family Court Mediation Rules or to issue consent orders authorizing parties to engage in any form of alternate dispute resolution which does not violate the rules of the court or the laws of South Carolina; provided however, the parties in consensual mediation must designate any arbiter or mediator by unanimous consent subject to the approval of the court; (40) to require the parent of a child brought before the court for adjudication of a delinquency matter and agencies providing services to the family to cooperate and participate in a plan adopted by the court to meet the needs and best interests of the child and to hold a parent or agency in contempt for failing to cooperate and participate in the plan adopted by the court. In imposing its contempt powers the Family Court must take into consideration mitigating circumstances including the parent's or legal custodian's participation in the treatment plan, the level of services being offered by the lead and participating agencies, and the level of cooperation by the lead and participating agencies as the court may deem appropriate; (41) to order a person required to pay support under a court order being enforced under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act who is unemployed or underemployed and who is the parent of a child receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families benefits to participate in an employment training program or public service employment pursuant to regulations promulgated by the department. The Division of Child Support Enforcement of the State Department of Social Services also has jurisdiction under this item in cases under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act brought pursuant to Article 5, Chapter 17, Title 63 of the 1976 Code; (42) to order joint or divided custody where the court finds it is in the best interests of the child; (43) to enforce an administrative subpoena or subpoena duces tecum issued by the Department of Social Services pursuant to Section 63-17-850 and to enforce fines assessed by the department pursuant to Sections 63-17-850, 63-17-2310(C), and 43-5-598(G); (44) to order sibling visitation where the court finds it is in the best interest of the children; (45) to hear and determine actions concerning control of the person of a minor, including guardianship of the minor; (46) to order custody of a minor child to the de facto custodian under the circumstances specified in Section 63-15-60. (B) Notwithstanding another provision of law, the family court and the probate court have concurrent jurisdiction to hear and determine matters relating to paternity, common-law marriage, and interpretation of marital agreements; except that the concurrent jurisdiction of the probate court extends only to matters dealing with the estate, trust, and guardianship and conservatorship actions before the probate court.
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South Carolina S.C. Code Ann. § 22-3-10; § 22-3-540 Concurrent civil jurisdiction
Magistrates have concurrent civil jurisdiction in the following cases: (1) in actions arising on contracts for the recovery of money only, if the sum claimed does not exceed seven thousand five
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hundred dollars; (2) in actions for damages for injury to rights pertaining to the person or personal or real property, if the damages claimed do not exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars; (3) in actions for a penalty, fine, or forfeiture, when the amount claimed or forfeited does not exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars; (4) in actions commenced by attachment of property, as provided by statute, if the debt or damages claimed do not exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars; (5) in actions upon a bond conditioned for the payment of money, not exceeding seven thousand five hundred dollars, though the penalty exceeds that sum, the judgment to be given for the sum actually due, and when the payments are to be made by installments an action may be brought for each installment as it becomes due; (6) in any action upon a surety bond taken by them, when the penalty or amount claimed does not exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars; (7) in any action upon a judgment rendered in a court of a magistrate or an inferior court when it is not prohibited by the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure; (8) to take and enter judgment on the confession of a defendant in the manner prescribed by law when the amount confessed does not exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars; (9) in any action for damages or for fraud in the sale, purchase, or exchange of personal property, if the damages claimed do not exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars; (10) in all matters between landlord and tenant and the possession of land as provided in Chapters 33 through 41 of Title 27; (11) in any action to recover the possession of personal property claimed, the value of which, as stated in the affidavit of the plaintiff, his agent, or attorney, does not exceed the sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars; (12) in all actions provided for in this section when a filed counterclaim involves a sum not to exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars, except that this limitation does not apply to counterclaims filed in matters between landlord and tenant and the possession of land; (13) in interpleader actions arising from real estate contracts for the recovery of earnest money, only if the sum claimed does not exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars; and (14) in actions for damages arising from a person's failure to return leased or rented personal property within seventy-two hours after the expiration of the lease or rental agreement, such damages to be based on the loss of revenue or replacement value of the property, whichever is less, if the damages claimed do not exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars; however, the lease or rental agreement must set forth the manner in which the amount of the loss of revenue or replacement value of the item leased or rented is calculated. Magistrates shall have exclusive jurisdiction of all criminal cases in which the punishment does not exceed a fine of one hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days, except cases in which an offense within the jurisdiction of a magistrate is included in the charge of an offense beyond his jurisdiction or when it is permissible to join a charge of an offense within his jurisdiction with one or more of which the magistrate has no jurisdiction. Magistrates shall have concurrent but not exclusive jurisdiction in the excepted cases. The provisions of this section shall not be construed so as to limit the jurisdiction of any magistrate whose jurisdiction has been extended beyond that stated above.
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South Carolina S.C. Code Ann. § 14-25-45 Powers, duties, and jurisdiction of municipal courts
Each municipal court shall have jurisdiction to try all cases arising under the ordinances of the municipality for which established. The court shall also have all such powers, duties and
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jurisdiction in criminal cases made under state law and conferred upon magistrates. The court shall have the power to punish for contempt of court by imposition of sentences up to the limits imposed on municipal courts. The court shall have no jurisdiction in civil matters.
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South Carolina S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-1150 Jurisdiction of judges
Every judge of probate, in his county, shall have jurisdiction: (a) as provided in Sections 62-1-301 and 62-1-302, and other applicable sections of the South Carolina Probate Code; (b) to issue marriage
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licenses, in form as provided by the bureau of vital statistics of the Department of Health and Environmental Control; to record, index, and dispose of copies of marriage certificates; and to issue certified copies of such licenses and certificates; (c) to perform the duties of the clerk of the court of common pleas in proceedings in eminent domain for the acquisition of rights-of-way by railway or canal companies when such clerk is disqualified by reason of ownership of or interest in any lands over which it is sought to obtain such right-of-way; (d) to inquire into and adjudge, in such proceedings as may be authorized by law, the involuntary commitment of persons suffering from mental illness, intellectual disability, alcoholism, drug addiction, and active pulmonary tuberculosis.
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South Carolina S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-390 Jurisdiction of judge within circuit wherein he resides
Every circuit judge in this State shall at all times have jurisdiction to discharge and perform all the duties of his office within the circuit wherein he resides, except the
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holding of circuit courts therein when some other circuit judge shall be engaged in holding such courts.
Jurisdiction of the courts