General Organization
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest level of appellate court in the state. It comprises five Justices, each with ten-year renewable terms (the Chief Justice is selected by majority vote and serves a four-year term). The Supreme Court primarily hears appeals from the Court of Appeals, first-degree or capital felony cases, complex civil appeals from the District Court, and some cases directly from state agencies (for example, the Tax Commission, Human Services, etc.).
Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals was established in 1987 to alleviate the case backlog in the Supreme Court. It consists of seven judges serving six-year renewable terms. The Court of Appeals hears appeals regarding decisions made in District Court and Juvenile Court and the decisions of most state agencies. It does not, however, hear any cases involving charges of first-degree or capital felonies.
District Courts
The District Court is the state trial court of general jurisdiction. There are 78 full-time district judges serving in the state's eight judicial districts. The District Court has original jurisdiction to try all civil cases and all criminal felonies, such as homicides, assaults, sex and drug offenses, forgery, arson, robbery, and misdemeanors in certain circumstances. An important part of the District Court caseload is domestic relations cases, such as divorces, child custody and support, adoption, and probate. District judges also have the power to issue extraordinary writs. In addition, the Court serves as an appellate court to review informal adjudicative proceedings from administrative agencies.
Juvenile Courts
The Juvenile Court is of equal status with the District Court. There are 33 full-time juvenile court judges serving in the state's eight judicial districts. The Juvenile Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over youths under 18 years of age who violate any federal, state, or municipal law and any child who is abused, neglected, or dependent. The court has the power to determine child custody, support, and visitation in some circumstances, to terminate parental rights permanently, and to authorize or require treatment for mentally ill children or children with disabilities. The court may also place children under the supervision of the court's probation department and place children in the custody or care of foster homes, group homes, special treatment centers, or secure institutions. The Court works closely with the Office of Guardian ad Litem on cases involving abuse, neglect, or dependency. The Court may also require children to pay fines or make restitution for damage or loss resulting from their delinquent acts. It also has jurisdiction over habitual truants, runaways, and ungovernable youth if efforts by other social service agencies are not successful.
In addition, the Court has exclusive jurisdiction in traffic offenses involving minors related to automobile homicide, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving, joy riding, and fleeing a police officer. It has concurrent jurisdiction with the District and Justice Courts over adults contributing to the delinquency and neglect of a minor.
The Juvenile Court, unlike other state courts of record, administers a probation department. Probation officers prepare dispositional reports, supervise youth placed on probation by the Court, conduct evaluations, and submit reports on each juvenile's progress. A clerical division prepares legal documents and maintains the official court record.
Justice Courts
Justice Courts are established by counties and municipalities and have the authority to deal with class B and C misdemeanors, violations of ordinances, small claims, and infractions committed within their territorial jurisdiction. Justice Court jurisdictions are determined by the boundaries of local government entities, such as cities or counties that hire judges.
There are two types of Justice Court judges: county judges who are initially appointed by a county commission and then stand for retention election every 6 years, and municipal judges who city officials appoint for a 6-year term. Some are both county and municipal judges. Some judges hear cases daily, and others have limited court hours each week. Justice Court judges need not be attorneys, although they receive extensive and continuing legal training. All Justice Court judges must attend 30 hours of continuing judicial education each year to remain certified. Currently, there are 81 Justice Court judges who serve in 115 county and municipal courts.