In the United States, each state has its own judicial system, which is responsible for interpreting and applying the laws of that state. The structure of a state's judicial system may vary somewhat from one state to another, but most states have a hierarchy of courts, with different courts responsible for hearing different types of cases.
At the lowest level of the state court system are trial courts, which are responsible for hearing cases involving criminal offenses, civil disputes, and other matters. These courts, also known as courts of general jurisdiction, typically include:
- District courts: These are the main trial courts in most states, and they handle a wide range of criminal and civil cases, including lawsuits, divorces, and criminal charges.
- Municipal courts: These courts, also known as city or town courts, handle cases involving offenses that occur within the jurisdiction of a particular city or town, such as traffic violations and minor criminal offenses.
- Superior courts: These courts, also known as courts of common pleas, handle a wide range of civil and criminal cases, including more serious criminal offenses, as well as appeals from lower courts.
Above the trial courts are intermediate appellate courts, which review decisions made by the trial courts. These courts, also known as courts of appeal or courts of special jurisdiction, typically include:
- Court of Appeals: This is the highest level of intermediate appellate court in most states, and it reviews decisions made by the trial courts and other intermediate appellate courts.
At the highest level of the state court system is the state's supreme court, which has the final say on all cases that come before it. The state supreme court, also known as the court of last resort, hears appeals from the intermediate appellate courts and occasionally reviews decisions made by the trial courts.
In addition to these general jurisdiction courts, many states also have specialized courts that handle specific types of cases. These may include courts that handle juvenile cases, family law cases, probate cases, and other types of cases.