I assume you want to know which Court a criminal case is processed in, first?
Usually it's the Municipal Court in the City the crime took place, and regardless of whether it is a felony or misdemeanor charge.
Misdemeanor charges are processed (stay) in the Municipal Court and felonies are bound over (transferred) to and processed in Common Pleas Criminal Court (State Court).
In 2010, a total of 361,323 cases were filed in US District Courts; of those, 78,428, or 21.7%, were criminal cases and 282,895, or 78.3%, were civil cases. There were 55,992 appeals filed in the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts.
Yes. US District Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction. They hear civil and criminal cases that involve federal and constitutional law and US treaties, provided the case doesn't fall under the jurisdiction of one of the US Special Courts (bankruptcy, tax, etc.).
In the United States the lower courts are trial courts: the courts that first hear or try cases both civil and criminal. The decisions in lower courts can be appealed to higher courts.
Courts of original jurisdiction (trial courts). In the federal court system, cases of general jurisdiction are heard in US District Courts.
The US District Courts
Lower courts are where cases are initially started. If they are appealed, they are taken to higher courts.
local courts... but they may be taken up to higher courts
Unless you are referring to a violation of a local ORDNANCE, Municipal courts customarily do NOT have jurisdiction to hear criminal cases. To initiate a criminal case in a a STATE court of original jurisdiction you would have to first either file a report with the police for a criminal offense, or speak with the State Prosecutors office to initiate a case.
Cases where the decision hinges on the application of a constitutional provision are heard in Constitutional Courts. A good example of such cases would include all cases concerning Freedom of Speech as guaranteed in the First Amendment.
STATE District Courts, hear ALL cases concerning violations of state law. FEDERAL District Courts hear all types of cases having to do with violation of federal law.
first statute of Westminster
The international criminal court is responsible for trying those charged with war crimes, genocide, and human rights violations. The international criminal courts main advantage is having to adhere by UN policies and fairness in the prosecution of these cases.