Court Divisions

Civil

The Circuit Civil Division hears cases with damages in excess of $50,000 filed by an individual, business or government agency. The County Civil Division has jurisdiction over civil cases up to $50,000 and Small Claims cases with amounts up to $8,000.

Criminal

The Circuit Criminal Division hears major criminal (felony) cases where the resulting penalty can be imprisonment in a state penitentiary or death.

Family

The Family Division hears divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity, name change, and some domestic violence injunction cases.

Appellate

The Appellate Division hears appeals from the county court and from various quasi-judicial boards and administrative agencies.

Probate

The Probate Division has jurisdiction over a broad category of cases including mental health, guardianship, estates and trusts.

Unified Children's Court

The Unified Children’s Court Division has jurisdiction to handle related family law matters (Family, Juvenile Dependency and Delinquency, and Domestic Violence Injunction cases) in multiple parts of the court system (sometimes referred to as “crossover” cases).

Traffic Court

Traffic Court hears civil traffic infractions. Accidents with injuries and criminal traffic charges are heard in the County Criminal Division.

Domestic Violence

The Domestic Violence Division hears domestic violence-related misdemeanors, injunction violations, and injunction for protection cases.