Municipal Court Directory and Information

According to each state's own constitution and laws, several different courts are established and maintained within its borders. These courts handle cases of all types which concern local and state laws, but decisions may sometimes be appealed to the federal courts within that state--especially if federal law or statutes are called in to question. Every state's court system includes municipal courts which hear and decide cases from within the borders of that particular municipality. However, these courts may be known by a variety of names and be empowered with specific jurisdiction that varies from state to state.

Types of Municipal Courts

Since each state is different, the actual names of municipal courts in your area may be only slightly or drastically different from your neighboring states. Some state call municipal courts "municipal court" or "city court." Others may call them "superior courts," or they could be very specific such as "traffic court," "family court," "small claims court," or "probate court." You will need to investigate your own state's court system structure in order to determine which naming method your state employs.

Municipal Court Jurisdiction

Municipal courts often are provided with both geographical and subject matter jurisdiction. They are usually local limited jurisdiction trial courts that may only hear cases from within the respective city limits. Many states have several municipal or city courts, with each one having the jurisdiction to hear specific types of cases. These can include probate, family, traffic, divorce and even family courts. Usually, municipal courts do not hear appeals of any kind.

Municipal Court Information Online

With the growing popularity of the Internet and online services, most municipal courts offer services, forms and information through official government websites. This is extremely useful if you are planning on filing a case, need to know which court to file with, or need to pay fines or tickets. The local clerk's office can provide you with this information, and most allow you to email them directly and download and file necessary forms to avoid the need to visit the courthouse in person.

Establishing Municipal Courts

Each state has its own constitution which may or may not provide allowances for the establishment of municipal courts. In addition, legislation may frequently change the state's court structure and system at any time, either establishing or abolishing new or existing courts. Usually, these changes are determined by case loads, population changes and growth, and even the establishment of new judicial circuits or districts.

Contacting your local municipal court can point you in the right direction if you want to pay a traffic ticket, file for divorce, or file a small claims suit against another individual or company. The respective clerk will be able to inform you as to whether you need to file in a different court to prevent your case from being discarded, saving you both time and money.

State-Specific Municipal Court Information:

Arizona Municipal Court

California Municipal Court

Colorado Municipal Court

Delaware Municipal Court

Florida Municipal Court

Georgia Municipal Court

Kentucky Municipal Court

Louisiana Municipal Court

Maryland Municipal Court

Massachusetts Municipal Court

Michigan Municipal Court

Minnesota Municipal Court

New York Municipal Court

North Carolina Municipal Court

Ohio Municipal Court

Oklahoma City Court

Tennessee Municipal Court

Texas Municipal Court

Virginia Municipal Court

Washington DC Municipal Court

Wisconsin Municipal Court