District Courts

The District Courts have jurisdiction over:

• Traffic infractions and violations.
• Offenses classified as violations of state laws or county ordinances.
• Criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment not exceeding one year.
• Probable cause hearings for felony cases.
• Civil actions in which the debt, amount, damages, or value of the property claimed does not exceed $40,000 (but no jurisdiction over actions for libel, slander, defamation of character, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, breach of promise of marriage, or seduction).
• Summary possession (landlord-tenant) actions and related money damages claims and counterclaims, regardless of the amount claimed.
• Ejectment proceedings, where the title to real estate does not come into question.
• Civil cases for specific performance when the fair market value of the performance does not exceed $20,000.
• Small claims cases where the amount claimed does not exceed $5,000.
• Petitions for temporary restraining orders (TROs) and injunctions against harassment involving parties who are not related to each other, and who have never been in a dating relationship.  
• Petitions by tenants against landlords for restraining orders against lockout and utility shut-off.
• Appeals from administrative denials of motor vehicle registration.